Seb Morris
has moved a step closer to achieving his long-held dream or
racing in F1 after
finalising a deal with top team Status
Grand Prix to graduate into the F1-supporting GP3 Series for the
2015 motor racing season. The 19-year-old from Marford, who is
part of the prestigious MSA Team UK programme and the FIA
Institute Young Driver Excellence Academy, steps into GP3 off
the back of a superb first season at European level last year.
Going on to star on his GP3 test debut with Status at Yas Marina
Circuit in Abu Dhabi back in November, Seb and his management
team have since been working hard behind the scenes to secure
the funding for the Welshman to make the leap onto the F1
support package. Determined to make a strong impact during his
rookie campaign with Silverstone-based Status, the two-time
McLaren Autosport BRDC Award finalist is absolutely relishing
the prospect of lining-up on the grid for the opening round of
the season at the Circuit de Catalunya in Spain on 9th/10th May.
“I always wanted to be in GP3 this year with Status, the team
wanted me as well so it’s fantastic we’ve put the deal
together”, said an elated Seb, “I definitely feel ready for GP3
and I believe I can compete with the best, I wouldn’t be out
there if I didn’t feel that. Status was always the obvious
choice, everyone bonded quickly when I tested last November and
the atmosphere instantly clicked. “I’m really looking forward to
the first official test at Estoril in a couple of weeks, I’ve
been preparing hard over the last few months and doing a lot of
sim assessments so I’m ready. The team has shown it can win
races and that’s ultimately where we intend to be, winning races
and championships.” 
Matt Parry
will step up to the GP3 Series for the 2015 season,
racing on the F1 support bill having agreed terms to
join the Koiranen GP team.The deal to move up from the
Formula Renault Eurocup came late in the day for the
Welshman, who had looked set to address what he termed
‘unfinished business’ after a frustrating 2014 campaign,
but will see him reunited with the Koiranen outfit with
which he ended the year on a high note in GP3 testing at
the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi. 'I originally
thought I’d be back for another crack at the Eurocup,
this time with Koiranen, but [team manager] Afa
[Heikkinen] offered us a very good deal to switch to
GP3,” Parry revealed, “With a lot of advice already
suggesting it was time to move on from Formula Renault,
it was an easy decision to make, and I’m looking forward
to the challenge of testing myself in a proven F1 feeder
series.” Design criteria
- Aerodynamics optimized to facilitate overtaking. Very low ride height sensitivity and wide range of suspension set up possibilities.
- Cost effectiveness
Technology:
- Compromise between performance and cost effectiveness wherever possible.
- Extensive use of composite materials but limited usage of the most expensive carbon fibres.
- Sequential gearbox
- Electro-hydraulic gear shift system.
- All in one ECU- GCU – Data logger equipment.
- High speed data acquisition system but no telemetry.
Chassis and Bodywork
- Chassis designed by Dallara Automobili.
- Carbon Monocoque complying to FIA Safety standards.
- Front and rear wing made out of carbon composite material.
Engine
- AER 6 cylinder 3.4 litres naturally aspirated 400 HP @ 8000 rpm.
- Fly by wire throttle system.
Gearbox
- Bespoke six gear longitudinal gearbox designed by Hewland.
- Magneti Marelli electro-hydraulic command via paddle shift from steering wheel.
Tyres
- Pirelli tyres.
- Three specific compounds developed for GP3
to provide:
The best suitable compound for every circuit.
Performance
- A top speed of 285km/h.
- Lateral acceleration up to +/- 2.6 G.
- Maximum braking deceleration -1.9 G
- Acceleration 0 – 100 km/h: 3.0 seconds
- Acceleration 0 – 200km/h: 7.7 seconds