Formula Two
The formula 2 was a single-seater racing category, open race car. Created in 1947 advertised as a base for the Formula 1 and the successor class of common before the Second World War Voiturette class.
History
In addition to individual race, which were combined in any championship, there were national championships, but only from 1967 European Championship. However, the Formula 1 Drivers' World Championships in 1952 and 1953 transitional played according to the rules of the formula 2 because after the withdrawal of Alfa Romeo is not enough competitive Formula 1 cars were available.
The regulations changed over time. First was an engine capacity limit of 2000 cc (or 500 cc for compressor-operated vehicles). With the introduction of the new Formula 1 engine capacity limit of 2500 cc to 1954 season were also related to the former Formula 2 In the following years, although some races were held still, but it was not until 1957, a new formula 2 with an engine capacity of 1500 cc and a restriction on six cylinder officially introduced.
1961 this Formula 2 rules were collected with the omission of limiting the number of cylinders to Formula 1, which previous Formula 2 cars such as the Porsche 718 or Ferrari 156 automatically came into Formula 1. The reintroduction of formula 2 was carried out in 1964, with the regulations prescribed an engine capacity limit of 1000 cc and a minimum weight of 420 kg.
In 1967, the FIA Formula 2 a Championship, which until 1984 had stock. The engine capacity was increased to 1600 cc. These vehicles with over 200 horsepower could compete at the Nurburgring because of the length of the track in order to replenish the starter field simultaneously with the Formula 1 and could even leave some of the heavier F1 car behind. In addition, many F1 drivers competed also in pure F2 Race, where they were, however, not eligible for Championship points. So Jochen Rindt won numerous F2 race, but could the same opponents in F1 because of its mostly inferior vehicles for many years suggest not. The two-time F1 world champion Jim Clark died in an F2 race at Hockenheim, as well as the German Gerhard Mitter, who had an accident during practice for the Grand Prix of Germany at the factory BMW.
Starting in 1972, were again 2000 cc six cylinder and an upper limit. By 1975, must have been built on the motor type, a minimum number of units ( 100 to 1000 ) last year. From 1976 pure racing engines were allowed, who performed more than 300 hp. Beginning of the 1980s were thus achieved at the Nürburgring lap times that were similar to those of F1 mid-1970.
As the only woman drove Hannelore Werner 1970 at the Nürburgring on the podium.
In 1985, the Formula 2 has been replaced by Formula 3000, in which the former Ford - Cosworth normally aspirated engines continued to be used, which were in the F1 by the introduction of turbos no longer competitive and thus were available cheaply in large numbers.
In 2005, the successor series Formula 3000 was introduced, the GP2 series, are used in the uniform for reasons of reliability V8 engine with 4000 cc. Thus, the " small class " for the time being, curiously, had more displacement than the formula 1
New formula 2
Having discussed the revival of the formula 2 for a long time, 2008, the British ex-Formula 1 driver Jonathan Palmer was awarded the contract for the creation of a new Formula 2 series. From 2009, the FIA Formula 2 Championship was held.
The concept was as follows:
- For cost reasons, drive identical cars in this series.
- For the same reason there are no teams in the traditional sense.
- The mechanics are reasons of equal treatment in every race with another pilot in use.
- The chassis is designed by Williams F1.
- 1.8 -liter turbo engines from Audi; Power of 300kW.
- In 2009, ten races, partially held within the framework of the WTCC touring car championships.
The regulations thus has strong resemblance to the restrictive variant in the one-make cup.
The series was discontinued at the end of the Formula 2 season 2012.