The 2015 season has witnessed Mark’s own team, Status Grand Prix, move into GP2 – the category immediately below Formula One. GP2 gives up-and-coming drivers the opportunity to prove themselves in front of the F1 teams and is the senior category to GP3, which Status has successfully competed in since 2010, finished 3rd in the 2014 series.
The back ground to Status Grand Prix’s move into GP2 is fascinating, and take’s Mark’s team to the threshold of Formula One; the GP2 races support all the European Formula One races, and also the F1 events in Bahrain and Abu Dhabi.
“We have made the move into GP2 as part of our strategy to develop Status Grand Prix as a key player in global motor sport, and specifically in relation to Formula One,” says Mark.
“The opportunity arose when I contacted Tony Fernandez who was planning to exit his motor racing businesses, and we made an initial approach to take over his GP2 team last May. The deal took a few months to complete, but I am delighted to say that with the Status GP2 and GP3 teams have come together very well during the winter and our Silverstone factory has been very busy. We will operate 3 cars in GP3, as usual, and of course 2 cars in GP2. With key races including the support race to the Monaco Grand Prix, it is going to be a very competitive but high profile year.”