Williams JPH1B F2

The 2012 FIA Formula 2 Championship introduced the Williams-designed JPH1B F2, featuring a sophisticated carbon composite chassis and a 1.8-litre turbocharged Audi engine producing 425bhp, increasing to 500bhp when a driver uses the overboost facility. The new car lapping around two seconds a lap quicker than its 2011 predecessor.

The FIA Formula Two Championship was a single-make open wheeled single seater racing series, which had previously run from 1967 to 1984. Drivers competed in identical Williams F1 built cars with an Audi supplied and Mountune Racing developed 400 bhp engine, over 16 rounds at eight venues.

Compared to rival series such as GP2 and Formula Renault 3.5, Formula Two cost significantly less per season whilst allowing drivers to prove their skill and develop their racecraft, in identical vehicles designed by a six man team from WilliamsF1. The F2 vehicles were assembled and prepared between races at MotorSport Vision’s Bedford Autodrome facility, prior to each championship event.

Due to financial and competition reasons, the F2 series was shutdown after a successful 2012 campaign, and did not race in 2013. It was “replaced” (including most of the administrative staff) by FIA Formula E.

First seen in sim racing with all the 2012 FIA Formula Two drivers and liveries with rFactor 2, September, 2012.