GP2 and GP3 Series calendars revealed

The race calendars for the 2017 season of GP2 Series and GP3 Series have been revealed, with 11 events in GP2 category and 8 events for GP3 drivers.

The main changes in the GP2 Series calendar, which remains the same size as the last year, is return of Bahrain’s round as the season-opener in April and new standalone event in October at Circuito de Jerez. Hockenheimring and Sepang dropped out from the list.

The GP3 Series calendar follows the GP2 events in eight occasions, without rounds in Bahrain, Monaco and Baku. Compared to 2016, the GP3 calendar is one-round shorter.

GP2 Series season’s finale will took place at Yas Marina Circuit again

The GP2 Series will be the supporting event for ten Formula One rounds, starting with Bahrain Grand Prix, the third round of the 2017 Formula One World Championship. The last time the GP2 field raced in Bahrain was in 2015. Seven rounds will be held in Europe with three flyaway rounds: Bahrain, Azerbaijan, and finale at Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi. There will be one standalone event in October at Circuito de Jerez.

GP2 Series CEO Bruno Michel said: “I am pleased to reveal this season’s calendar which is made of eleven race weekends again, including ten events alongside Formula One and the return of Sakhir. We’re delighted to race in Jerez between Monza and Abu Dhabi. We wanted to have the same number of events including three flyaway rounds in 2017 as in the previous year, but we were mindful of freight costs. This meant not adding a fourth flyaway round and staying in Europe for a standalone event. This is also why we decided to hold our final pre-season test session in Bahrain, ahead of the season opener.”

As GP3 Series CEO, Bruno Michel added: “In order to control the costs, we have decided to have only one flyaway event this year, which will be Abu Dhabi in November. We are also delighted to take GP3 racing alongside GP2 in Jerez in October between Monza and the final round of the season. This campaign will bring new challenges with the addition of the DRS to the third generation GP3 car. I am convinced that there will be many opportunities for our drivers to showcase their talent in front of the F1 paddock and the fans.”

GP3 cars at Yas Marina Circuit

2017 GP2 Series calendar

2017 GP3 Series Calendar