Formula Palmer Audi recently announced the biggest prize in British Motorsport for 2010 with the overall champion receiving £100,000 towards a drive in F2. The series will also be enhanced by another major addition to the FPA cars themselves.

In 2010, all Formula Palmer Audi cars will be fitted with new onboard video technology to aid driver performance analysis - a concept already established in Formula Two. This vital data sharing tool was introduced midway through the 2009 F2 season and was hailed by all competitors as a major benefit in their development as a driver.

As with F2, every FPA driver this season will be provided with data and video of both his or her car, plus the data and video of the quickest driver from the same session.  

Within minutes of each session finishing drivers will be able to study all available information and compare his or her performance against the ultimate pace setter.

Engineers and driver coaches will also be on hand to run through the footage with every driver, providing vital feedback and advice ahead of the next session. Below you will see video footage of Dean Smith during his Formula Two testing debut at Portimao, whilst Andy Soucek's footage from Valencia in December has proved a useful tool in the ongoing development process of the F2 car - the Spaniard is currently testing the significantly improved Williams JPH1B ahead of the 2010 Formula Two season.

F2 pilot Ollie Hancock spoke of the benefits during his debut weekend in Oschersleben, Germany.

"The data sharing was a great boost," noted Hancock. "Some corners I was a little unsure as to what the car was capable of and what I should be doing, and all I have to do is look at the data and compare myself to the fastest guys.

"It's just really seeing where you can improve, and it allows you to concentrate on specific areas like braking a bit later at a certain turn. Every driver has a mental map of where they might be able to improve, but that's where the data comes in, because it allows you to see exactly where you can make changes. 

"Take Andy Soucek's fastest lap at Oschersleben - you can see where he can carry more speed through the corner, and then exit faster and carry the speed down the straight. Little things like that can help you make small adjustments, and that's where you find critical chunks of time." 

MotorSport Vision Chief Executive Jonathan Palmer has been keen for FPA to benefit from technology pioneered in Formula Two: "Our F2 drivers have found this to be of great benefit in developing their skills. As part of our commitment for FPA drivers to have the best learning opportunities at the lowest cost we are now extending this opportunity to them."