GP3 Series
Ever since GP3 have been established, it always attracted fields of talented racers. The 2013 season, which featured a newly-developed car, was not a change in pattern in that regard. Alongside the usual newcomers from lower levels, there was some added excitement as drivers like Kevin Korjus or Nick Yelloly had to take a step down from Formula Renault 3.5 due to budget issues. Finally, support from the Red Bull Junior Team meant the grid would see two extremely promising additions in Carlos Sainz, Jr. and Daniil Kvyat.
The field had no shortage of depth, as more than a dozen drivers seemed like prime candidates for potential race victories. Still, there were issues on other fronts as the series had to deal with some criticism of the new car, which seemingly made overtaking a lot harder than in previous years, making for rather eventless races.
In spite of that, however, the first eight races provided eight different winners, including three rookies in Jack Harvey, Facu Regalia and Melville McKee. Promising Cypriot Tio Ellinas looked like the chief title contender for most of the year, but, after a streak of bad luck, he was almost decisively ruled out of the championship battle. It was underdog racer Regalia who then took over in the lead, only to lose out to the unstoppable Kvyat in the final round.
Sure, qualifying was essential and overtaking proved difficult, but facts speak in GP3’s favour. Six drivers went into the Abu Dhabi finale with mathematical chances to take the title home and, at the end of it all, strong drivers like Niederhauser, Fontana, McKee and Williamson didn’t manage to break into the top ten – a prime demonstration of the immense depth of the grid.
If history is anything to go by, it’s hard to bet against GP3 running another great field in 2014, with early interest from the likes of German F3 champion Marvin Kirchhofer and F3 Open star Santiago Urrutia.
David Gruz