It's been nearly a year since the GP3 Series development car first took to the track, now we are just days away from the start of the inaugural season.

This historic event will mark the start of the brand new feeder series category, designed to give young upcoming drivers a chance to develop their driving skills and jump to the next step: GP2 Series. As such, all the GP3 events will support Formula One giving drivers firsthand experience of racing in the Grand Prix environment and gaining that all important F1 exposure.

With a brand new championship and thirty young drivers using the same chassis, engine and tyre suppliers, it is impossible to predict who will come out on top this weekend. Although, the official test in Barcelona three weeks ago gave up a few clues: ART continued to stamp their authority on the Series with Mexican driver Esteban Gutierrez topping three out of four sessions, while RSC Mucke Motorsport and Status Grand Prix continued their rise to the top. But the test also threw up a few surprises, and it was MW Arden who slowly crept up the time sheets. After a couple of second place finishes the Aussie team finally grabbed the coveted top spot in the last session of the day.

Since the last official test the GP3 grid has also taken shape, and the final eight GP3 drivers have been confirmed. Lucas Foresti will contest the 2010 season with Carlin, Oliver Oakes and Vittorio Ghirelli with Atech CRS GP, Felipe Guimaraes with Addax Team, Daniel Morad with Status Grand Prix, GP3 rookie Adrian Quaife-Hobbs with Manor, and Daniel Juncadella alongside a second GP3 rookie, Jean-Eric 'JEV' Vergne, at Tech 1 Racing.

The 2010 season looks like being extremely competitive. With 30 over zealous drivers ready to fight at the first corner, a car that's already proven to be fast and designed for close racing, and the weather forecasters predicting rain for the weekend, the scene is set for a dramatic inaugural GP3 Series event.

The action will start this Friday with Free Practice at 16.50 pm(local time). Both races at Circuit de Catalunya will be 16 laps / 30 minutes long, and each will cover a total distance of 74.354 km.