The World Motor Sport Council has confirmed that the GP2 Series will become FIA Formula 2 for 2017, ಞstarting in Bahrain on April 15.

GP2 has been Formula 1's premier support series since 2005, but had been rumoured to be on the verge of becoming Formula 2 as part of FIA president Jean Todt's bid 🌄to reform the single-seater ladder.

On Thursday, the FIA confirmed that the name change had been approved following discussion𒁃s with the ❀Formula One Group, now owned by Liberty Media.

"The World Motor Sport Council a🐎pproved the creation of the FIA Formula 2 Championship for 2017 onwards," the statement reads. "The FIA reached an agreement with the Formula One Group regarding the transition of the GP2 Series to FIA Formula 2, a♑nd the series will support the FIA Formula One World Championship in all but one of the dates."

The Formula 2 calendar is identical to that announced for GP2 for 2017, supporting Formula 1 for 10 rounds and also enjoying a standalone even꧑t at Jerez on October 8ဣ.

GP3 w꧑ill remain unchanged for 2017, supporting eight Formula 2 events including the Jerez round.