The 2017 FIA Formula 2 season officially kicks off tomorrow with the first test session of the year at the Circuit de Catalunya in Spain. The teams and drivers have set up camp for the next three days, from Monday 13^th to Wednesday 15^th, to prepare themselves and their drivers ahead of the debut of the new championship which will start in just one month’s time, on April 14^th at the Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix.

PREMA Racing, who have been given the honour of carrying car number 1 and 2 after their stunning season last year, with be hosting Ferrari Driver Academy drivers Charles Leclerc and Antonio Fuoco: the Monegasque ace will be hoping to repeat his championship winning form from the GP3 Series, while the Italian will look to build on his strong third place in the same category. Racing Engineering is building on their traditionally strong line up with Louis Delétraz, fresh from P2 in Formula Renault 3.5, and Gustav Malja, who will look to build on his brace of podiums last year in the GP2 Series.

Luca Ghiotto will bring his race-winning experience to RUSSIAN TIME after a strong maiden season in GP2 last year, alongside fellow race winner Artem Markelov, while multiple championship winning team ART Grand Prix will host McLaren-Honda development driver Nobuharu Matsushita and GP3 Series vice champion Alexander Albon for the season.

DAMS bring an experienced line up in the shape of Oliver Rowland and Nicholas Latifi, with both men pushing to return the French team to the top of the pile, while over at Campos Racing the Spanish team will debut new signed racer Ralph Boschung, who steps up from GP3, while next to him Roberto Merhi brings his undoubted pedigree to the test with his countrymen.

MP Motorsport have a mixture of youth and experience in the shape of drivers Sergio Sette Camara, stepping up from European Formula 3, and Jordan King, who will bring his multiple race winning experience to bear as he returns to his old team, while Trident host young Malaysian racer Nabil Jeffri, alongside the experienced Sergio Canamasas for this test.

Over at Rapax the Italian squad have announced their 2017 line up in the shape of McLaren development driver Nyck De Vries, fresh from his race winning form in GP3, and Johnny Cecotto, who was on the podium with the team last time out in GP2, while at Pertamina Arden the British team will be helping Norman Nato and Sean Gelael achieve their dreams.

Pirelli have selected two different compounds for these three days: Hard (Prime) and Soft (Option). Each driver will be supplied with five sets of Prime and two sets of Option.

The sessions will start each day at 09:00 local time and run until 12:00: on Monday and Tuesday the afternoon session will run from 14:00 to 17:00, while on Wednesday this will be pushed forward an hour to 13:00 before closing at 16:00.

FIA Formula 2 Championship – Barcelona Test Session: Drivers’ Entry List

PREMA Racing
01. Charles Leclerc (MON)
02. Antonio Fuoco (ITA)

Racing Engineering
03. Louis Delétraz (SUI)
04. Gustav Malja (SWE)

RUSSIAN TIME
05. Luca Ghiotto (ITA)
06. Artem Markelov (RUS)

ART Grand Prix
07. Nobuharu Matsushita (JAP)
08. Alexander Albon (THA)

DAMS
09. Oliver Rowland (GBR)
10. Nicholas Latifi (CAN)

Campos Racing
11. Ralph Boschung (SUI)
12. Roberto Merhi (ESP)

MP Motorsport
14. Sergio Sette Camara (BRA)
15. Jordan King (GBR) 

Trident
16. Nabil Jeffri (MAS)
17. Sergio Canamasas (ESP)

Rapax
18. Nyck de Vries (NED)
19. Johnny Cecotto (VEN)

Pertamina Arden
20. Norman Nato (FRA)
21. Sean Gelael (INA)

 Alexander Albon will continue to defend ART Grand Prix colors in the upcoming 2017 GP2 season. After a year of successful partnership in the GP3 Championship.

At 20 years of age, Albon is one of the most prominent drivers of his generation, thanks to a very historical record for a Thai driver. Winner of several karting championships, Alex made an impressive debut in motorsport and became a member of the Red Bull Junior Team in 2012 and the Lotus F1 Junior Team the following year.

Albon finished 2014 on the podium of the Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 and contested a solid season in FIA Formula 3 Europe before joining ART Grand Prix in 2016. Although a rookie in GP3, he won several races and fought for the title until the very last weekend of competition at the Yas Marina circuit in Abu Dhabi, eventually finishing the year runner up behind his team-mate and champion, Charles Leclerc.

“I am really excited to be working with ART Grand Prix for a second year! I learnt a huge amount last year and we have become one big close family. Moving up to the GP2 series is an important step in anyone's career and I am extremely fortunate to be with a top team who already understand me." Said Albon

"There's a lot to learn coming from GP3, and the experience and method of working at ART Grand Prix is the reason they have won so many titles."

"I hope I will continue to proudly wear Thailand's colours and those of my faithful Thai partners. I look forward to the new challenge and cannot wait for the season to begin!" He added.

Team principal Sebastien Philippe said: “In GP3 in 2016, Alex exceeded all of ART Grand Prix’ expectations by integrating himself instantly into the company and fighting for pole position and victories from the first race weekend of the season."

"He didn’t need a period of adaptation to become one of the best drivers in the category and he didn’t stop progressing throughout the year."

"He missed the title by very little and it was through no fault of his own, either sporting or personal why he didn’t clinch it."

"Alex soon had all the makings of a GP2 driver at ART Grand Prix and we are delighted to continue our collaboration for another year. It is necessary to follow the course from GP3 to GP2 and ART Grand Prix will be alongside Alex every step of the way to give him all the technical help so that he can fight at the front." He concluded.

Following an agreement between Formula One Group and the FIA, the GP2 Series officially becomes the FIA Formula 2 Championship from the 2017 season onwards.

The joint announcement was made today at the World Motor Sport Council held in Geneva, Switzerland.

Started in 2005, the GP2 series has firmly established itself on the world stage as one of the premier one-make racing championships.

The FIA Formula 2 Championship will continue to provide the same opportunities for young driver talent to demonstrate their abilities in front of Formula 1 teams as they compete on world-renowned circuits, on a car created to ensure that the challenge for the teams is also maintained.

With Formula 1 at its peak, Formula 2 (F2) join the ranks of single-seater FIA championships, which aim to nurture talented drivers from karting through Formula 4 and Formula 3 before they enter the world stage. With F2 in place, motorsport will be more accessible to both drivers and fans.

Since GP2’s inaugural season, drivers from the series have graduated from the championship to Formula 1 every year, from the first ever champion (and reigning World Champion) Nico Rosberg to Stoffel Vandoorne this year.

Speaking about the change, Formula One Group CEO Chase Carey said:“I am very pleased to announce the evolution of the GP2 Series to become the FIA Formula 2 Championship.

“Junior categories and especially the upcoming F2 Championship are strategic activities for the Formula One Group.

“We are delighted to strengthen them through this agreement with the FIA.”

FIA President Jean Todt said:

“Completing this process with Formula One Group and bringing Formula 2 to life is a very important step. The series will provide a fantastic opportunity for junior drivers who are looking to reach the ultimate goal of Formula 1.

“In recent years we have developed a hugely successful programme of FIA Formula 4 championships in 12 countries around the world and the FIA F3 European Championship has become very strong and competitive. Today’s announcement further strengthens this programme.

“We are delighted to have been able to work with the Formula One Group, to introduce F2 and benefit our sport.”

FIA Formula 2 Championship CEO Bruno Michel added:

“After twelve amazing GP2 seasons which have provided an incredible show for fans and took twenty-eight drivers to an official Formula 1 seat – including two World Champions – we have decided along with the FIA to become known as the FIA Formula 2 Championship.

 “The FIA has fully embraced GP2’s core values which will now be adopted by Formula 2; a powerful, safe and challenging car, enthralling races, and a training ground to enter Formula 1 with a particular focus on cost control.

“This is a great opportunity for our drivers, our teams and our partners.”