2009 FIA Formula Two Championship

Motor racing season 2009 FIA Formula Two season none 2010 The 2009 FIA Formula Two Championship season was the first year of the relaunched FIA Formula Two Championship. The championship began on 30 May at the Circuit de Valencia and finished on 1 November at the Circuit de Catalunya, after eight double-header rounds. Andy Soucek was a dominant champion, finishing over 50 points clear of runner-up Robert Wickens. The season was overshadowed by the death of Henry Surtees during the second race at Brands Hatch. Background & championship format The series saw the drivers using a chassis that was built at the WilliamsF1 team's headquarters at Grove in Oxfordshire. It was named as the JPH1, incorporating the initials of series boss Jonathan Palmer and Patrick Head, engineering director for Williams.http://www.gpupdate.net/en/f2-news/204563/chassis-development-continues-at-williams-f1/ Chassis development continues at Williams F1 GPUpdate.net 2008-12-04 2011-01-30 The car was given two shakedown tests at Palmer's Bedford Autodrome by Steven Kane,http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/73506 Palmer: Full grid shows F2 potential English, Steven Strang, Simon autosport.com Haymarket Publications 2009-03-02 2009-03-02 https://web.archive.org/web/20090307034240/http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/73506 7 March 2009 live before the car was officially launched on 2 March at Brands Hatch – the headquarters of MotorSport Vision, who run all the cars in the series. http://www.formulatwo.com/f2-car-launch.aspx Official unveiling of the Williams JPH1 FIA Formula Two Championship Car FIA Formula Two Championship 2009-02-17 2009-02-17 https://web.archive.org/web/20090220125225/http://www.formulatwo.com/f2-car-launch.aspx 2009-02-20 dead At each event there were two 30-minute practice sessions, two 30-minute qualifying sessions and two races of varying length; the distances for each announced prior to each race weekend. Points were awarded to the top eight drivers in the race, and were awarded in the same system as Formula One: 10-8-6-5-4-3-2-1, and only a driver's best fourteen scores counted towards the championship.http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/74951 FIA tweaks F2 scoring system Pablo Elizalde autosport.com Haymarket Publications 2009-04-30 2009-04-30 https://web.archive.org/web/20090503071516/http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/74951 2009-05-03 live That said, no driver had to drop scores in the championship due to all of them having two or more non-points-scoring races. The winner of the FIA Formula Two Championship received a full test with the AT&T Williams F1 team, which was run in such a way as to seriously evaluate the driver with regard to their potential as a Formula One driver. Drivers finishing in the first three places in the final classification of the Formula Two Championship qualified for an FIA Super Licence. Drivers thumb|right|The season was overshadowed by the fatal accident suffered by Henry Surtees at Brands Hatch. All the cars carried a tribute to Surtees for the rest of the season. During a question & answer session at the 2009 Autosport International show in Birmingham, series boss Jonathan Palmer announced that the Formula Two field will expand from 20 to 24 cars.http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/72671 Q & A with Jonathan Palmer Steven English autosport.com Haymarket Publications 2009-01-08 2009-01-08 https://web.archive.org/web/20090208235510/http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/72671 8 February 2009 live This then became 25 as Edoardo Piscopo joined the line-up and Jens Höing returned after contractual issues.http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/75385 F2 expands to 25 cars as Hoing returns Steven English autosport.com Haymarket Publications 2009-05-17 2009-05-17 https://web.archive.org/web/20090524030422/http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/75385 2009-05-24 live After Henry Surtees' death, there were only 24 cars at Donington Park, before returning to 25 for Oschersleben, with Ollie Hancock making his debut.http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/77963 Hancock to fill Surtees' F2 slot Edd Straw autosport.com Haymarket Publications 2009-08-24 2009-08-24 https://web.archive.org/web/20090827104925/http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/77963 2009-08-27 live No. Car number Driver http://www.formulatwo.com/drivers.aspx 2009 Drivers FIA Formula Two Championship 2009-01-07 https://web.archive.org/web/20090302034007/http://www.formulatwo.com/drivers.aspx 2009-03-02 dead Rounds 2 SWE Sebastian Hohenthal http://www.formulatwo.com/news/hohenthal-joins.aspx Sebastian Hohenthal 'delighted to be joining F2' FIA Formula Two Championship 2008-12-18 2009-01-07 https://web.archive.org/web/20081224091009/http://www.formulatwo.com/news/hohenthal-joins.aspx 2008-12-24 dead All 3 GBR Jolyon Palmer http://www.formulatwo.com/news/jolyon-palmer-graduates-to-formula-two.aspx Jolyon Palmer graduates to Formula Two FIA Formula Two Championship 2009-01-14 2009-01-14 https://web.archive.org/web/20090220125114/http://www.formulatwo.com/news/jolyon-palmer-graduates-to-formula-two.aspx 2009-02-20 dead All 4 FRA 1974 Julien Jousse http://www.formulatwo.com/news/jousse-wickens.aspx Robert Wickens and Julien Jousse sign up for F2 FIA Formula Two Championship 2008-12-10 2009-01-07 https://web.archive.org/web/20090201103746/http://www.formulatwo.com/news/jousse-wickens.aspx 2009-02-01 dead All 5 GBR Alex Brundle http://www.formulatwo.com/news/alex-brundle-to-compete-in-f2.aspx Alex Brundle to compete in Formula Two FIA Formula Two Championship 2008-12-23 2009-01-07 https://web.archive.org/web/20090201104851/http://www.formulatwo.com/news/alex-brundle-to-compete-in-f2.aspx 2009-02-01 dead All 6 IND Armaan Ebrahimhttp://www.formulatwo.com/news/armaan-ebrahim-signs-for-f2.aspx Armaan Ebrahim signs up for F2 FIA Formula Two Championship 2008-12-12 2009-01-07 https://web.archive.org/web/20090201171515/http://www.formulatwo.com/news/armaan-ebrahim-signs-for-f2.aspx 1 February 2009 live All 7 GBR Henry Surtees http://www.formulatwo.com/news/henry-surtees-to-race-in-formula-two.aspx Surtees name returns to Formula Two FIA Formula Two Championship 2009-01-02 2009-01-07 https://web.archive.org/web/20090220125241/http://www.formulatwo.com/news/henry-surtees-to-race-in-formula-two.aspx 2009-02-20 dead † 1–4 8 DEU Tobias Hegewald http://www.formulatwo.com/news/hegewald-joins-f2.aspx Tobias Hegewald announced as next F2 driver FIA Formula Two Championship 2008-12-15 2009-01-07 https://web.archive.org/web/20090201103725/http://www.formulatwo.com/news/hegewald-joins-f2.aspx 2009-02-01 dead All 9 ITA Pietro Gandolfi http://www.formulatwo.com/news/zipoli--gandolfi-join-f2.aspx Formula Two's very own Italian Job FIA Formula Two Championship 2008-12-22 2009-01-07 https://web.archive.org/web/20090130044120/http://www.formulatwo.com/news/zipoli--gandolfi-join-f2.aspx 2009-01-30 dead All 10 ITA Nicola de Marco http://www.formulatwo.com/news/nicola-de-marco.aspx Nicola De Marco: "F2 will be a great championship" FIA Formula Two Championship 2009-01-09 2009-01-10 https://web.archive.org/web/20090220125254/http://www.formulatwo.com/news/nicola-de-marco.aspx 2009-02-20 dead All 11 GBR Jack Clarke http://www.formulatwo.com/news/jack-clarke-joins-f2-entry-list.aspx Jack Clarke joins F2 entry list FIA Formula Two Championship 2009-01-07 2009-01-08 https://web.archive.org/web/20090220125109/http://www.formulatwo.com/news/jack-clarke-joins-f2-entry-list.aspx 2009-02-20 dead All 12 CAN Robert Wickens All 14 ITA Mirko Bortolotti http://www.formulatwo.com/news/italian-f3-champion-mirko-bortolotti-joins-red-bull-as-their-third-driver-in-formula-two.aspx Italian F3 champion Mirko Bortolotti joins Red Bull as their third F2 driver FIA Formula Two Championship 2009-01-30 2009-01-31 https://web.archive.org/web/20090220125058/http://www.formulatwo.com/news/italian-f3-champion-mirko-bortolotti-joins-red-bull-as-their-third-driver-in-formula-two.aspx 2009-02-20 dead All 15 RUS Mikhail Aleshin http://www.formulatwo.com/news/red-bull-backed-russian-driver-joins-f2.aspx Red Bull-backed Russian driver joins F2 FIA Formula Two Championship 2009-01-12 2009-01-12 https://web.archive.org/web/20090324050423/http://formulatwo.com/news/red-bull-backed-russian-driver-joins-f2.aspx 2009-03-24 dead All 16 ITA Edoardo Piscopo http://www.formulatwo.com/news/introducing-piscopo.aspx Introducing Edoardo Piscopo FIA Formula Two Championship 2009-05-06 2009-05-06 https://web.archive.org/web/20090717055426/http://www.formulatwo.com/news/introducing-piscopo.aspx 2009-07-17 dead 1–7 17 BRA Carlos Iaconelli http://www.formulatwo.com/news/carlos-iaconelli-joins-f2-grid.aspx Brazil's Carlos Iaconelli moves from GP2 to Formula Two FIA Formula Two Championship 2009-01-20 2009-01-20 https://web.archive.org/web/20090327234531/http://formulatwo.com/news/carlos-iaconelli-joins-f2-grid.aspx 2009-03-27 dead 1–7 18 CHE Natacha Gachnang http://www.formulatwo.com/news/gachnang-joins.aspx Natacha Gachnang signs up for Formula Two FIA Formula Two Championship 2008-12-16 2009-01-07 https://web.archive.org/web/20090201103648/http://www.formulatwo.com/news/gachnang-joins.aspx 2009-02-01 dead All 20 DEU Jens Höinghttp://www.formulatwo.com/news/jens-hoing-rejoins-f2.aspx Jens Höing rejoins the Formula Two line-up FIA Formula Two Championship 2009-05-17 2009-05-17 https://web.archive.org/web/20090620062813/http://www.formulatwo.com/news/jens-hoing-rejoins-f2.aspx 2009-06-20 live All 21 LTU Kazim Vasiliauskas http://www.formulatwo.com/news/kazim-vasiliauskas-makes-history-by-joining-f2.aspx Kazim Vasiliauskas makes history by joining F2 FIA Formula Two Championship 2009-01-28 2009-01-29 https://www.webcitation.org/66R6acVj5?url=http://www.formulatwo.com/news/kazim-vasiliauskas-makes-history-by-joining-f2.aspx 2012-03-25 dead All 22 ESP Andy Soucekhttp://www.formulatwo.com/news/soucek-signs-up-for-formula-two.aspx Spanish ace signs up for Formula Two FIA Formula Two Championship 2009-01-16 2009-01-16 https://web.archive.org/web/20090220125159/http://www.formulatwo.com/news/soucek-signs-up-for-formula-two.aspx 20 February 2009 live All 23 FIN Henri Karjalainen http://www.formulatwo.com/news/henri-karjalainen-joins-f2.aspx Henri Karjalainen joins Formula Two FIA Formula Two Championship 2009-02-17 2009-02-17 https://web.archive.org/web/20090220125230/http://www.formulatwo.com/news/henri-karjalainen-joins-f2.aspx 2009-02-20 dead All 24 GBR Tom Gladdishttp://www.formulatwo.com/news/tom-gladdis-signs-up.aspx Briton Tom Gladdis becomes youngest driver in 2009 F2 line-up FIA Formula Two Championship 2009-02-20 2009-02-20 https://web.archive.org/web/20090224102024/http://www.formulatwo.com/news/tom-gladdis-signs-up.aspx 24 February 2009 live All 25 SRB Miloš Pavlović http://www.formulatwo.com/news/milos-pavlovic-completes-line-up.aspx Miloš Pavlović completes the 2009 F2 line-up FIA Formula Two Championship 2009-02-27 2009-02-27 https://web.archive.org/web/20090307235603/http://www.formulatwo.com/news/milos-pavlovic-completes-line-up.aspx 2009-03-07 dead All 27 ESP Germán Sánchez http://www.formulatwo.com/news/spanish-f3-champion.aspx Spanish F3 champion Germán Sánchez joins Formula Two FIA Formula Two Championship 2009-01-26 2009-01-26 https://web.archive.org/web/20090404064740/http://formulatwo.com/news/spanish-f3-champion.aspx 2009-04-04 dead All 31 GBR Jason Moore http://www.formulatwo.com/news/moore-signs.aspx 2008 Formula Palmer Audi Champion graduates to F2 FIA Formula Two Championship 2008-12-13 2009-01-07 https://web.archive.org/web/20090201083241/http://www.formulatwo.com/news/moore-signs.aspx 2009-02-01 dead All 33 AUT Philipp Eng http://www.formulatwo.com/news/philipp-eng-in-f2.aspx Austrian Philipp Eng confirmed in F2 for 2009 FIA Formula Two Championship 2009-02-10 2009-02-10 https://web.archive.org/web/20090318102921/http://formulatwo.com/news/philipp-eng-in-f2.aspx 2009-03-18 dead All 38 FRA 1974 Tristan Vautierhttp://www.formulatwo.com/news/tristan-vautier-joins-f2.aspx Tristan Vautier to replace Edoardo Piscopo for Barcelona FIA Formula Two Championship 2009-10-23 2009-10-23 dead https://archive.today/20240524201508/https://www.webcitation.org/5mqhKpwF6?url=http://www.formulatwo.com/news/tristan-vautier-joins-f2.aspx 2024-05-24 8 44 GBR Ollie Hancock http://www.formulatwo.com/news/hancock-joins.aspx Ollie Hancock joins Formula Two FIA Formula Two Championship 2009-08-24 2009-08-24 https://web.archive.org/web/20090831094902/http://www.formulatwo.com/news/hancock-joins.aspx 2009-08-31 dead 5–8 Driver changes Entering FIA Formula Two Championship Red Bull Junior drivers Mikhail Aleshin and Robert Wickens moved to the series after competing in the Formula Renault 3.5 Series for Carlin Motorsport. They were joined by Julien Jousse, who also competed with Tech 1 Racing. Italian Formula Three champion Mirko Bortolotti and Italian Formula Three runner-up Edoardo Piscopo graduated into the championship. Formula Palmer Audi front-runners Alex Brundle, Jack Clarke, Jason Moore and Jolyon Palmer continued their collaboration with MotorSport Vision into the series. Armaan Ebrahim switched from Formula V6 Asia to the revived series. Philipp Eng, who competed in Formula BMW Europe and the German Formula Three Championship joined the series' grid. Another German Formula Three driver, Jens Höing, also moved into the series. Spanish Formula Three front-runners Germán Sánchez, Natacha Gachnang and Nicola de Marco all moved into the championship. Pietro Gandolfi graduated from LO Formula Renault 2.0 Suisse into the series. Tom Gladdis and Henri Karjalainen returned to Europe after participating in the Star Mazda Championship and the Atlantic Championship respectively. Tobias Hegewald, who had a dual programme in the Formula Renault 2.0 Northern European Cup and the Formula Renault Eurocup moved in the series. British Formula Renault drivers Sebastian Hohenthal and Henry Surtees debuted in the series. GP2 Series drivers Carlos Iaconelli, Miloš Pavlović and Andy Soucek debuted in the newly created category. Kazim Vasiliauskas, who participated in both the Italian Formula Renault Championship and the Formula Renault Eurocup, also joined the series. Midseason changes † – Surtees was fatally injured after an accident, during the second race at the fourth round at Brands Hatch.http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/77088 Henry Surtees dies after F2 crash autosport.com Haymarket Publications Jonathan Noble 2009-07-19 2009-07-19 https://web.archive.org/web/20090722073628/http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/77088 2009-07-22 live http://www.formulatwo.com/news/henry-surtees-jp-statement.aspx Henry Surtees: statement from Jonathan Palmer, chief executive of MotorSport Vision FIA Formula Two Championship 2009-07-20 2009-07-21 https://web.archive.org/web/20090724065830/http://www.formulatwo.com/news/henry-surtees-jp-statement.aspx 2009-07-24 dead Surtees' slot was filled by Ollie Hancock after round five. Edoardo Piscopo missed the final round to participate in the first round of 2009–10 GP2 Asia Series season.http://www.dams.fr/detail-actu2.php?lang=en&id=150 Drivers lineup, 20 October 2009 2009-10-20 dams.fr DAMS 2009-12-05 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20110720214408/http://www.dams.fr/detail-actu2.php?lang=en&id=150 2011-07-20 His slot was filled by Tristan Vautier. Testing Results The first group test was held on 6 May, at Snetterton in Norfolk. In the morning, 21 of the series' 24 drivers were within a second of each other. Two sessions were held, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. There was another group test at Silverstone on 18 May, with two dry sessions and one wet session. Two other test days were held during the session, one at Donington Park, and one at Circuit de Catalunya. Calendar The Formula Two calendar consists of eight rounds with two races at each event. http://www.formulatwo.com/news/calendar-ratified.aspx FIA approves 2009 Formula Two calendar FIA Formula Two Championship 2008-12-14 2009-01-07 https://web.archive.org/web/20081224091004/http://www.formulatwo.com/news/calendar-ratified.aspx 2008-12-24 dead Round Circuit/Location Country Date Supporting 1 R1 Circuit Ricardo Tormo, Valencia 30 May WTCC Race of Spain R2 31 May 2 R1 Masaryk Circuit, Brno 20 June WTCC Race of the Czech Republic R2 21 June 3 R1 Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps 27 June International GT Open R2 28 June 4 R1 Brands Hatch, Kent 18 July WTCC Race of UK R2 19 July 5 R1 Donington Park 16 August Stand-alone event R2 6 R1 Motorsport Arena Oschersleben 5 September WTCC Race of Germany R2 6 September 7 R1 Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari, Imola 19 September WTCC Race of Italy R2 20 September 8 R1 Circuit de Catalunya, Barcelona 31 October International GT Open R2 1 NovemberSources:FIA Formula 2 Championship – 2009: Racing Calendar https://www.speedsport-magazine.com/motorsport/formula-level2/formula-2/2009-calendar.html Speedsport Magazine 3 September 2025 Results Round Circuit Pole position Fastest lap Winning driver Report 1 R1 ESP Valencia CAN Robert Wickens CAN Robert Wickens CAN Robert Wickens Report R2 CAN Robert Wickens LTU Kazim Vasiliauskas CAN Robert Wickens 2 R1 CZE Brno ITA Nicola de Marco CAN Robert Wickens ITA Mirko Bortolotti Report R2 GBR Henry Surtees ITA Nicola de Marco ESP Andy Soucek 3 R1 BEL Spa-Francorchamps DEU Tobias Hegewald DEU Tobias Hegewald DEU Tobias Hegewald Report R2 DEU Tobias Hegewald DEU Tobias Hegewald DEU Tobias Hegewald 4 R1 GBR Brands Hatch AUT Philipp Eng ITA Mirko Bortolotti AUT Philipp Eng Report R2 ESP Andy Soucek ESP Andy Soucek ESP Andy Soucek 5 R1 GBR Donington Park DEU Tobias Hegewald FRA 1974 Julien Jousse ESP Andy Soucek Report R2 FRA 1974 Julien Jousse FRA 1974 Julien Jousse FRA 1974 Julien Jousse 6 R1 DEU Oschersleben ESP Andy Soucek ESP Andy Soucek ESP Andy Soucek Report R2 RUS Mikhail Aleshin SRB 2004 Miloš Pavlović RUS Mikhail Aleshin 7 R1 ITA Imola LTU Kazim Vasiliauskas LTU Kazim Vasiliauskas LTU Kazim Vasiliauskas Report R2 CAN Robert Wickens CAN Robert Wickens ESP Andy Soucek 8 R1 ESP Catalunya CAN Robert Wickens GBR Jason Moore ESP Andy Soucek Report R2 CAN Robert Wickens ESP Andy Soucek ESP Andy SoucekSource:FIA Formula 2 Championship– 2009: Results https://www.speedsport-magazine.com/motorsport/formula-level2/formula-2/2009-results.html Speedsport Magazine 3 September 2025 Championship Standings Pos Driver VALESP BRNCZE SPABEL BRHGBR DONGBR OSCDEU IMOITA CATESP Points 1 ESP Andy Soucek Ret 4 17 1 4 2 2 1 1 4 1 2 3 1 1 1 115 2 CAN Robert Wickens 1 1 9 Ret Ret 3 4 2 Ret Ret 8 4 4 2 Ret 3 64 3 RUS Mikhail Aleshin 4 6 2 Ret 18 8 10 3 2 7 5 1 7 Ret 2 7 59 4 ITA Mirko Bortolotti 6 2 1 Ret 9 9 Ret 5 10 3 2 Ret 2 Ret 6 Ret 50 5 FRA 1974 Julien Jousse 5 10 5 2 3 6 19 9 7 1 Ret 3 10 Ret 4 8 49 6 DEU Tobias Hegewald Ret 9 15 7 1 1 15 6 3 6 Ret 6 Ret 4 9 5 46 7 LTU Kazim Vasiliauskas 3 20 Ret 8 10 7 5 12 Ret 2 3 7 1 Ret 8 4 45 8 AUT Philipp Eng 12 3 3 9 Ret Ret 1 4 5 10 Ret Ret 5 10 5 9 39 9 SRB Miloš Pavlović Ret 17 Ret 5 2 4 7 Ret Ret 8 Ret 21 6 3 10 19 29 10 ITA Nicola de Marco 9 5 12 3 13 11 9 Ret Ret Ret 6 5 Ret 9 11 2 25 11 BRA Carlos Iaconelli 2 8 Ret Ret Ret 10 6 17 Ret 9 4 10 Ret 5 21 12 ITA Edoardo Piscopo Ret 7 7 4 8 14 8 7 4 Ret 12 8 13 Ret 19 13 FRA 1974 Tristan Vautier 3 6 9 14 GBR Henry Surtees† 7 12 Ret Ret 15 Ret 3 Ret 8 15 FIN Henri Karjalainen 17 15 4 16 7 15 11 18 15 13 Ret 15 11 15 16 17 7 16 SWE Sebastian Hohenthal 10 13 Ret 12 17 12 Ret 14 6 5 17 9 9 12 Ret Ret 7 17 IND Armaan Ebrahim 15 16 6 6 DNS Ret Ret 10 8 Ret 9 13 Ret Ret 12 10 7 18 GBR Jack Clarke 13 19 Ret 15 5 Ret Ret Ret 9 14 7 Ret 14 14 17 14 6 19 GBR Alex Brundle 8 23 11 Ret Ret 5 Ret 11 14 Ret Ret 11 17 Ret 15 12 5 20 GBR Tom Gladdis 19 18 8 10 6 Ret 13 13 17 Ret 16 17 16 13 14 15 4 21 GBR Jolyon Palmer 21 Ret 10 14 16 Ret 12 16 16 12 15 19 12 6 13 11 3 22 GBR Jason Moore 16 14 13 11 Ret DNS 16 8 11 Ret 14 20 18 7 19 16 3 23 CHE Natacha Gachnang 11 Ret 14 Ret 11 13 14 15 13 Ret 11 12 15 Ret 7 13 2 24 ESP Germán Sánchez 14 11 16 Ret 12 Ret 17 Ret 12 11 Ret 16 8 8 DNS DNS 2 25 GBR Ollie Hancock 10 18 Ret 11 Ret 11 18 18 0 26 DEU Jens Höing 18 21 Ret 13 Ret 16 Ret Ret Ret Ret Ret 14 Ret Ret Ret 21 0 27 ITA Pietro Gandolfi 20 22 Ret Ret 14 17 18 Ret Ret 15 NC 22 Ret Ret Ret 20 0 Pos Driver VALESP BRNCZE SPABEL BRHGBR DONGBR OSCDEU IMOITA CATESP PointsSources:FIA Formula 2 Championship – 2009: Points distribution https://www.speedsport-magazine.com/motorsport/formula-level2/formula-2/2009-scoring.html Speedsport Magazine 3 September 2025 References 2 External links The official website of the FIA Formula Two Championship 2009 Formula Two Technical Regulations As archived at www.webcitation.org on 23 December 2009 2009 Formula Two Sporting Regulations As archived at www.webcitation.org on 23 December 2009 2009 FIA Formula Two Championship Standings As archived at www.webcitation.org on 23 December 2009 Category:FIA Formula Two Championship seasons FIA Formula Two season 2009 Formula Two