Round Ten Preview - Spa-Francorchamps.
source: gp2series.com
Two weekends remain in the 2007 GP2 Series, and as the teams prepare for the final furlong, the championship is still wide open. Just one week has passed since the excitement of Monza, and as we set up shop in Belgium, every member of the paddock is looking forward to getting back to racing ways on one of the world's truly great tracks.
Bring it on Down: Spa-Francorchamps comes around on a back-to-back in 2007 meaning that the GP2 Series has the pleasure of racing on two of the most historic and legendary circuits in the world in close proximity. The challenge of Spa is always vast. One of the most challenging tracks to drive in existence, the tests placed at the feet of the GP2 Series drivers in 2007 will be one of the greatest of the season however, as with no race here in 2006, the teams have no real data to go on.
Of course the GP2 Series raced here in 2005, but in that season we raced on grooved Bridgestone tyres rather than the medium compound slick Bridgestone Potenza tyres which will be used this year. There is therefore an element of the unknown, and as usual, the half hour practice session on Friday morning will be all-important.
Back in 2005 the weekend was disrupted heavily by the inclement weather so often associated with Spa. Nelson Piquet Jr took his first GP2 Series win on Saturday, and on Sunday the rain affected race was won by Adam Carroll, with half points awarded due to its early curtailing.
This year the weather would appear to be far improved. Although it is far colder than the beautiful weather we experienced in Monza, we do not expect rain to hit the track until Monday. The weather system around Spa is such however that things could turn at any instant. But for the moment, a rare weekend of sunshine for the Belgian event is on the cards.
What about the championship? Following his podium and Race 2 win, Timo Glock leads the championship on 78 points, 11 ahead of Lucas di Grassi on 67. Luca Filippi sits third on 50, one ahead of Giorgio Pantano on 49 with Kazuki Nakajima on 36 and Adam Carroll on 35.
In the teams' championship, iSport International have now broken their century to lead on 108, 31 ahead of ART on 77. Super Nova International sit third on 63 with Campos Racing fourth on 60 points, 14 ahead of Dams in fifth.