Junior Open Wheel Talent

Drivers from different junior formula series across the globe have gathered in Le Castellet for a two day GP2 test at Paul Ricard. All drivers in attendance are focused on one thing, a future Formula One ride. In order to have a legitimate shot at that dream, they must make the right impression with the GP2 teams they are testing for. Several drivers have elected to test for more than one team, due to a lack of funded drivers in attendance. Teams were slow to announce their drivers as many of the deals were arranged last minute, in fact, a few teams are yet to announce their drivers for Day #2. The teams are focused on signing their drivers for the GP2 Asia Series (Shanghai is less than three weeks away) and finalize their 2009 contracts.

Here is a list I was able to put together of drivers trying out for GP2/GP2 Asia. The list contains current GP2 pilots hoping to remain on the circuit as well as several rookie drivers trying to attain a spot at the final stop on the motorsports ladder to F1.

Arden: Renger Van der Zande (Day 1), Kodai Tsukakoshi (Both Days), Mika Maki (Day 2)

ART: Oliver Turvey (Day 1), Paul Di Resta (Day 1), Nelson Phillippe (Day 2), Diego Nunes (Day 2)

BCN: Fabio Onidi (Day 1), Bertrand Baguette (Day 1), Dani Clos (Both Days)

Campos: Vitaly Petrov (Day 1), Sergio Perez (Day 1), Ho Pin Tung (Day 2), Jerome D’ Ambrosio (Day 2)

Dams: Sam Bird (Day 1), Kamui Kobayashi (Both Days), James Jakes (Day 2)

DPR: Michael Herck (Both Days), Will Bratt (Day 1), Luca Filippi (Day 2)

Durango: Davide Valsecchi (Both Days), Carlos Iaconelli (Both Days)

FMSI: Andreas Zuber (Both Days), Fabrizio Crestani (Both Days)

iSport: Nelson Phillippe (Day 1), Diego Nunes (Day 1), Marcus Ericsson (Day 2), Oliver Turvey (Day 2)

Piquet: Alberto Valerio (Day 1), Roldan Rodriguez (Day 1), Milos Pavlovic (Day 2), Fabio Onidi (Day 2)

Racing Engineering: Luiz Razia (Both Days), Christian Ebbesvik (Day 1), Markus Niemela (Day 2)

Super Nova: Vladimir Arabadzhiev (Both Days), James Jakes (Day 1), Alberto Valerio (Day 2)

Trident: Chris Van der Drift (Both Days), Narain Karthikeyan (Both Days)

Day 1: Morning Test Results
Day 1: Afternoon Test Results

Day 2: Morning Test Results