GP2 unveils new car for 2008

The Renault-powered machine took to the track for the first time on Monday, with Renault tester Nelsinho Piquet at the wheel at the Paul Ricard circuit in France.

Piquet completed 60 laps without problems.

The Dallara-designed car will run on Bridgestone Potenza tyres after the Japanese manufacturer renewed its deal with the series.

The GP2/08 is visibly different from its predecessor, the front end featuring a new and aggressively low nose, single keel suspension and a new front wing assembly. The rear end of the car is completely new in concept and design.

"I am incredibly proud to see the GP2/08 test for the first time," said series organiser Bruno Michel. "It is an aggressive and beautiful looking car, and is the perfect vehicle with which to take this series forward.

"Of course, today is just the start of the testing and development process for the next generation of the GP2 Series, but at this moment I must pay tribute to our partners Renault and Bridgestone, to the work and ideas of both Didier (Perrin) and Bernard (Dudot) in the conception of this new car, and to everyone at Dallara and Mecachrome for all of their input and hard work on this project.

"This car has been designed to keep the GP2 philosophy of racing intact, to maintain the show, training, cost efficiency and safety of the Series, whilst at the same time making a large step forward in technology. As we look to the future, it is amazing to think of what the GP2 Series has achieved in such a short space of time.

"I am sure I speak for everyone when I say how excited I am to see the next generation of the series launched today, and I look forward to watching this car grow as it forms the basis of the next three years of competition."

GP2's technical director Didier Perrin said the design team had listened to all the requests from the team to improve the performance next season.

The Frenchman is adamant that the new car is a vast improvement over its predecessor.

"I am delighted with the GP2/08," he said. "The work that Dallara has done in the design of the new car is of the highest standard and as can be seen from today's photographs, we are moving to the future not with a development of the old machine, but with a brand new racing car.

"The car has been improved in every area. Most noticeable at first glance is the aerodynamics. We have taken the benefit of recent aerodynamic developments in Formula One and that is why the look of the GP2/08 is closer than ever before to Formula One.

"From the beginning of the design process we also decided to increase the proportion of the ground effect in the overall downforce of the car because, in our mind, it is one of the key factors in promoting overtaking and providing a good show.

"We have listened to the opinions and requests of the GP2 Series teams and their views on the operational aspects of the car. Together with Dallara, we have combined three years of learning to create the GP2/08.

"There are many, many improvements present in this car, and I am sure it will keep us all entertained over the next three years."