As I think most subscribers here are aware, GP2 has an ongoing problem with repeat drivers. In the last few years, the GP2 champions have all been in their fourth season or later. It seems that the series is increasingly flooded with mediocre drivers who just hang around until they win. To take an example, Johnny Cecotto Jr. advanced through Formula BMW, Formula Renault 2.0, Formula 3, Formula 3000, to GP2. His results along the way were completely dismal. He won only 3 races in 82 starts prior to GP2. Now into his 5th full season in GP2, he's running near the front, ahead of many more talented drivers.

This brings the utility of GP2 as a feeder series into question. I tend to ignore anything a driver achieves after two full seasons in GP2 and it seems F1 teams are doing much the same, given the lack of interest in hang-around champs like Valsecchi and Leimer.

Why drivers benefit so much from running multiple seasons in GP2 is not so clear. Perhaps the cars are difficult to set-up. Perhaps also the qualifying format, which severely punishes inconsistency.

This year, we're seeing the same issue. Of the top 6 drivers in the championship, 5 are in at least their third full season and 1 (Evans) is in his second full season. Rookies Vandoorne and Marciello, who many consider the most talented drivers in the series, are down in 7th and 10th respectively. They have delivered podiums, but they have not been able to string together successful weekends yet.

I decided to take a look through the history of GP2 to see what was the highest championship position achieved by a driver in their first full season.

First, it's interesting to note that this is a very talented list of drivers. Much more talented than the list of champions, in my opinion! All those from 2005-2010 have made it to F1. However, the problems seem to generally be getting worse for first-season drivers. In 2011, every driver in the top 10 had at least a full GP2 season under their belt.