Mosley: F2 can be an F1 feeder

Mosley hosted the podium ceremony for the first race of the season, which was won by Robert Wickens, and praised the championship for delivering on the aims the FIA set out with.

"I'm astonished at how successful the day has been, Jonathan Palmer and Williams have done an absolutely fantastic job," Mosley said. "The championship, the racing and the whole set-up is extraordinary and it has been a really great success.

"I think the championship fits precisely with the cost-cutting measures that are being adopted in Formula 1. The barriers to entry have just been too big and too expensive in the past, and this championship is a means for people to get into F1 without spending a fortune.

"I wouldn't be at all surprised to see some drivers from this year's Formula 2 championship progress into Formula 1."

Williams director of engineering Patrick Head, who led the design team that created the new F2 car, hosted the podium for Sunday's second race - also won by Wickens - and believes that F1 teams will look seriously at testing the leading F2 drivers at the end of the season.

"The whole set-up has looked very professional and the series is certainly one that we would look at in terms of selecting drivers," said Head.

"You have to be very careful in F1 with who you select for a test drive because there are only three new driver test days available each year. That's where Formula 2 is beneficial, because you know there aren't any great car advantages and it therefore comes down to the driver."