Williams F1’s Director of Engineering discusses involvement in F2 project

Patrick Head, who has led a six-man team in the design of the new F2 car, has declared the project as both ‘exciting’ and a ‘serious engineering challenge’.

With just a few weeks until the car’s initial shakedown test, Williams F1’s Director of Engineering has spoken about his involvement in the project: “The F2 project is both exciting and very interesting,” said Head. “We have obviously known Jonathan Palmer for a very long time and we initially discussed creating a much higher spec Formula Palmer Audi. Then when the possibility of F2 came up, it became clear that we would have to significantly upgrade the whole operation because the car would have to pass the 2005 Formula One crash test rules, which is a serious engineering challenge.”

Head’s team faced the task of creating a highly technical and advanced single seater with a top speed that sits between that of an F3 and a Formula One car, while also maintaining Formula Two’s cost-effective philosophy: “Designing a high performance F2 car to a budget actually has many more complex issues to that of a Formula One project which has a much larger resource base,” commented Head. “There will be expectations from drivers who were maybe thinking of doing GP2 but have decided to do F2 and they would be disappointed if the car didn’t have a certain amount of sophistication to it. I think we have hit the right note with the F2 car.”

The Williams JPH1 F2 car features a 450bhp turbo engine, six speed paddle shift gearbox, ground effect aerodynamics and a sophisticated composite survival cell complying with 2005 Formula One safety regulations. Settings on the car that can be adjusted to change the mechanical balance include anti-roll bars, dampers, cambers, tracking spring pre-load and ride height. The front and rear wings can be adjusted to alter the aerodynamic balance of the car and drivers will even have the ability to make some of these adjustments via on-board controls – the F2 car features a cockpit-adjustable front anti-roll bar and a pioneering front wing adjuster on the steering wheel is being developed, which will be unique outside of Formula One in 2009.

Head has been impressed with the rapid progress of the championship’s development and the calibre of its 2009 drivers: “It is looking very positive. Of course, like all things the proof of the pudding is in the eating, but it is looking promising. Very often, when a driver comes from GP2 or F3 you are always wondering how much of their success is down to the team, the performance of the car and the race engineer. With Formula Two, we will know that the best driver will come out on top in the end, and that’s good when looking at their potential for Formula One,” Head concluded.

The winner of the 2009 FIA Formula Two Championship will be awarded a full test with the AT&T Williams team.

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Andy Soucek has become the first Spanish driver to confirm his participation in the 2009 FIA Formula Two Championship season.

Soucek joins F2 after two seasons competing in GP2 where he scored four podium finishes, including a third place at the Circuit de Valencia – where F2 will commence at the end of May: "I am very happy to be racing in F2," said Soucek. "It is a category with a long history and tradition, where many famous drivers have progressed into Formula One." 

The Madrid-born racer graduated to GP2 after challenging for the World Series by Renault title in 2006 and he won the Spanish F3 championship in 2005. This success led to a test drive with the Panasonic Toyota F1 team: "My target is still F1 and I am convinced through the FIA and Jonathan Palmer’s MSV organisation, F2 will provide a fantastic championship where the finest drivers can achieve their dream," commented Soucek.
Soucek has already competed against some of the confirmed F2 drivers during his career, most notably Russia’s Mikhail Aleshin. The pair raced together in World Series by Renault and GP2 in 2006 and 2007 respectively: "Some of the F2 drivers have previously been my rivals in other series, but many others I do not know so well," added Soucek. "I am sure there will be more than one surprise but I am convinced that I have the experience to fight for the F2 title. This is my goal, as the Superlicence and official Williams F1 test drive are both attractive awards."

Jonathan Palmer, Chief Executive of championship organiser MotorSport Vision, said: “Andy is another fabulous addition to the 2009 Formula Two line-up. As recently as last November he was demonstrating his pace by topping the times in a World Series by Renault test. He is an international race winner and has already tested F1 machinery, so Andy will clearly be a serious contender for the championship. Having already achieved a podium at Valencia in GP2, he will certainly be one to watch when the season gets underway at the same circuit in May."

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Formula Two grid expands into South America

Brazilian driver Carlos Iaconelli has become the first South American racer to sign up to the 2009 FIA Formula Two Championship.

Iaconelli joins F2 following 13 races in the 2008 GP2 Series and a further two outings in the 2008/2009 GP2 Asia Series. He also participated in selected rounds of last year’s International Formula Master Championship and scored a podium position in Italian Formula Master.

Prior to GP2 the 21 year-old driver competed in the 2007 Formula Renault 3.5 Championship, racing against fellow F2 drivers Rob Wickens, Julien Jousse and Mikhail Aleshin. His strong single seater racing background also includes experience in Spanish Formula 3, Formula Renault 2.0 Eurocup, Formula Renault 2.0 Italy, and the Brazilian Formula Renault and Formula 3 championships.  

Carlos Iaconelli said: "I am really delighted to be racing in F2 in 2009; it will be a fantastic challenge. The championship will visit beautiful circuits, with competitive drivers and a powerful car – it seems to be a great combination. The prize of an F1 test drive with Williams for the F2 champion represents something all young drivers have dreamt of since a young age and I will work very hard to make my dream come true. I would like to take this moment to thank Mr. Palmer and all of the Formula Two team for this fantastic opportunity."

Jonathan Palmer, Chief Executive of championship organiser MotorSport Vision, said: "I’m delighted to add an exciting South American driver to the F2 line-up.  Talented Brazilian drivers have always been a feature in my own career, particularly Nelson Piquet and Raul Boesel, and I’m sure Carlos will use all his experience to challenge for the championship in 2009.  With just a few spaces remaining and an extraordinary level of interest from drivers all over the world, it will be fascinating to see who completes the grid for the first season of the FIA Formula Two Championship!"

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