The GP2 Series returns to action after a three-week break this weekend, throwing its twelve teams the challenge of dealing with a completely new circuit.
Whilst the schedule to date has meant that some teams may have had an advantage over their rivals according to which series they graced in the past, this weekend's Istanbul round marks the first instance where all twelve will have no previous experience whatsoever, promoting the hope of an upset in what is already a relatively open series.
Istanbul Park was completed just weeks ago and plays host to its first international motorsport event over the course of the next three days. As a result, the 24 drivers are somewhat in the dark as to the characteristics of the track, which will only become clear after the first practice session on Friday. As a result of its early start, the GP2 Series will be the first to grace the track this weekend.
While the circuit is expected to remain dusty from the ongoing construction work, and with thunderstorms forecast, the characteristics look set to change from session to session, but what will not change is the layout of what appears to be a flowing circuit. Designed by
F1 track designer Hermann Tilke, Istanbul Park promises to be a major test for all involved. The 5.338km of asphalt is wide enough to allow for overtaking - something already seen in GP2 this season - and has been compared to Spa-Francorchamps and Sepang. However, after their track walks on Thursday morning, most of the drivers agreed that the new circuit would create its own reputation as a superb challenge for man and machine.
