Organisers of the GP2 and GP3 Series revealed their respective calendars for the 2014 season on Friday.
As expected, there is little change to a schedule that generally follows Formula One’s European leg; however the GP3 Series will see its schedule expand by one round.
To counter the rising costs of the championship, GP2 has dropped its flyaway rounds at Malaysia and Singapore, but will make its debut at the Red Bull Ring in Austria when Formula One returns next June.
In addition, both series’ will also support the first Russian Grand Prix in a century at Sochi next year, as Formula One endeavours to make its mark upon the former Soviet state.
Pre-season tests for GP2 will commence in March at the Yas Marina circuit in Abu Dhabi (March 11-13), before moving to Sakhir a week later for a final test prior to the opening round.
The GP2 Series will start in Bahrain in April, before beginning its European leg in May (Barcelona and Monaco). A month break follows before the fourth round at the Red Bull Ring, leading to a busy July, where GP2 will visit Silverstone, the Hockenheimring and the Hungaroring.
Another month off follows, after which the series reconvenes a Spa-Francorchamps. The final three rounds are spread out over ten weeks, starting with Monza (September), Sochi (October), before closing with F1 at Abu Dhabi in November.
The GP3 Series will maintain largely the same calendar as GP2; however it will not be visiting either Sakhir or Monaco. There are to be three pre-season tests at Estoril (March), followed by tests at Jerez and Barcelona in April.
Starting at Barcelona in May, the GP3 Series is also to visit the Red Bull Ring, Silverstone, the Hockenheimring, the Hungaroring, Spa-Francorchamps, Monza, Sochi and Abu Dhabi.
