2006 GP2 Series season

GP2 Series season
Current = 2006
Previous = 2005
Next = 2007The 2006 GP2 Series season began at Valencia, Spain on April 8, 2006 and ended in Monza, Italy on September 10, 2006. The season was won by Briton Lewis Hamilton, with Brazilian Nelson Angelo Piquet finishing second.

2006 GP2 car modifications

The chassis

The 2006 specification GP2 Car has been designed by Dallara Automobili. The 2006 GP2 car features a biplane rear wing, with the triplane rear wing used in 2005 only to be used at the Monaco race. The front upper and lower wishbones have been reinforced, as have the front and rear suspension uprights.

Engine

The 4 litre V8 engine features internal, cartographic and software upgrades designed to improve performance and fuel consumption.

The gearbox

The 2006 gearbox has been manufactured by GearTek, and features an 8 position barrel, with ratchet body and software upgrades, as well as a new transverse shafts fixing system designed to facilitate improved gear selection.

The tyres

The tyres supplied by Bridgestone for the 2006 season are slick, not featuring the grooves seen in the 2005 season. Bridgestone will supply a soft, medium, and hard compound tire, with the tyre choice being made by Bridgestone and the GP2 Series prior to each event. The wet specification tyre remains the same as 2005.

Other parts

Brembo is supplying a new development of monobloc brake calipers and disc bells, which are exclusive to GP2.

The car also features internal cooling upgrades, a new water radiator, radiator duct, oil/water heat exchanger, modified oil degazer, new oil and water pipes and new heat exchanger fixing brackets.

Sporting regulations changes

The only change to the sporting regulations for the 2006 season is that drivers will only be awarded a single point for fastest lap in a race, rather than the two points that were awarded in 2005. The driver must now also start the race from his allocated grid position to be eligible to claim the fastest lap.

Drivers and constructors

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"Polesitter for the feature race on bold. Driver with asterisk has been awarded point for fastest lap."

Notes

* Lewis Hamilton was disqualified during the first race at Imola for passing the safety car. Team McLaren's statement on this is that he was following the Campos Racing cars which led him past the car. [http://www.mclaren.com/theteam/lewis/sanmarino.php] (archive [http://web.archive.org/web/20070807184216/http://www.mclaren.com/theteam/lewis/sanmarino.php] )

* Olivier Pla was disqualified in Barcelona from 8th place for car being under weight limit

* Durango cars were excluded from second Silverstone race for illegal rear wing which caused di Grassi's accident in first race.

* Felix Porteiro was disqualified from 2nd place in Silverstone sprint race for illegal position of steering rack.

External links

* [http://www.gp2series.com The official GP2 Series website]
* [http://gp2series.com/en/website/gp2series/news/index.php?news=tcm:2-6733 Changes For 2006]
* [http://www.f1-geschiedenis.be/GP2/2006/Kalender2006.htm Alle uitslagen van de GP2 klasse]