大象传媒

Philip Eng secured two top ten finishes

Last weekend saw Donington Park play host to Rounds 9 and 10 of the FIA Formula Two Championship. As the name would suggest, the series is essentially a younger brother to the more established F1 series.

"The concept of Formula 2 is to provide a low-cost formula for young, talented drivers," says Media Officer Simon Melluish.

"It gives them the opportunity of reaching Formula One."

The series has emerged to become the logical stepping stone to the 'big-time' of F1, with drivers taking the wheel of a teenage version of Nico Rosberg's Williams machine.

Williams's involvement with the series goes beyond the arduous task of designing the car though; the eventual Formula Two champion will earn a full test with the team during the off season, making the step from a 180mph bullet to a 200+mph monster.

And little brother has some other notable differences, mainly its' emphasis on cost-cutting and driver-equality. For a start there are no teams, and mechanics rotate throughout the season to give everyone a fair crack at a podium finish.

"The idea is that none of the drivers have any advantage over any other. We are looking for the best drivers; it's not about a car gaining an advantage," explains Melluish.

The cost is hugely different to that seen in other forms of the sport too. It will set you back over 拢1 million a season to compete in GP2, F2's main competitor, while a seat here will cost you as little as 拢200,000.

"Other championships that offer a step into F1 are massively expensive, something that Formula Two isn't," says driver Alex Brundle.

"Any driver coming out of Formula Two should look to fit in well in a Formula One paddock."

Brundle is only nineteen, but speaks with the confidence his surname would suggest.

He is, after all, the son of Martin Brundle, the former Formula One driver and Le Mans winner who now commentates for the 大象传媒.

"There are positives and negatives. One negative is that there is more pressure on me. A positive is that obviously I have his experience to help me. I think there are more positives," says Alex of having a famous father in the sport.

And Dad Martin agrees; "It's inevitable because of his surname. He's smart enough to realise that it'll open doors up for him but he has got to manage the downsides."

Donington control tower

In its first season back after a 25 year absence however, Formula Two may be most famous due to the tragic events that took place at Brands Hatch back in July.

There, a wheel from fellow British driver Jack Clarke's car flew across the track and struck Henry Surtees on the helmet, knocking him unconscious and resulting in his death.

The incident clearly rocked all involved with the championship - Alex's composed media front falls briefly only at the mention of Henry's name - but he accepts that those involved with F2 have reached a point where they need to move on

"You care massively as a driver, you really care," says Alex.

"Obviously everyone sent their condolences and everyone meant them. But you can't let that affect the way you drive the racing car."

"Out of the car, I'm exceptionally sorry, a more terrible thing couldn't have happened that weekend. But inside the car; where's my next apex?"

His approach reflects that of most in the paddock, though it is clear Surtees will not be forgotten - ahead of the Donington event a minutes silence was held, and each car fin is adorned with the words, "Henry - we miss you", in Surtees' racing colours.

Despite the heartbreaking incident that will scar the season though, it seems that the series is successfully achieving its aim of grooming the next generation of driving talent.

After the Donington stages, Spaniard Andy Soucek holds a 22-point lead atop of the standings and looks set to earn himself a seat with the Williams testing team, while there were rumours one man in the paddock had an outside chance of filling in for the Ferrari F1 team in the absence of injured Felipe Massa.

And as the series builds to a year-ending climax in Barcelona, high praise has come from none other than Martin Brundle himself.

"I think the core project aims and goals have been met," Brundle explains.

"It's incredible value; it gives you a stepping stone. The cars are equal, so you're going to find out if your lad is any good or not."

"This is great, you've got 25 equal cars and if your lad is doing well it's because he's good."