NOVEMBER 3, 2004

Todt Jr gets ready for GP2

Nicolas Todt, the son of Ferrari boss Jean Todt, will be fielding a team in the new GP2 series next year in association with the French Formula 3 team ASM. The team will be based at Villeneuve la Guyard, near Fontainebleau, to the south-east of Paris. The new operation will be funded by sponsorship from Vodafone, the connection between Todt Jr and the giant British mobile phone operator, no doubt having been eased by Todt Sr.

Frederic Vasseur's ASM team has a long and successful history in Formula 3, having won the French title as long ago as 1998 with David Saelens and more recently with Tristan Gommendy in 2002. The team dominated the Formula 3 Eurocup this year with Jamie Green and Alexandre Premat finishing 1-2 in the series in Dallara-Mercedes. It is believed that both men are on Todt's list as potential drivers in 2005 although Green has also been out testing with Arden International.

One problem which is facing all the GP2 teams the moment is the lack of regulations. The series was supposed to submit its rules package to the FIA in October but this does not appear to have happened and it looks like it will be December before the rules are finalised. This is an odd way of preparing for a new championship.