07/09/2006
NEWS STORY
Piquet Sports - Nelson Piquet Jr
Nelson Piquet Jr faces the toughest battle of his career this weekend as he heads to Italy for the GP2 series finale, where he will battle it out for the championship title
with fierce rival Lewis Hamilton. Lewis holds the upper hand, leading the series by ten points, but Nelson will not give up without a fight and will be aiming to score the
maximum 20 points available over the weekend.
The legendary Monza circuit in Northern Italy is fondly known as "la pista magica" - the magic track. The 5.793km circuit is set in the picturesque old royal park and, dating back to the 1920's, is the oldest grand prix track that the GP2 Series races on. The circuit, which features several high-speed straights and long corners, is steeped in history and famed for its legendary races and terrifying accidents. It is also arguably the most atmospheric race, with the tifosi out in force to support its beloved Ferrari on home turf. It is one of the fastest races of the 2006 GP2 Series and one of Nelson's favourites.
Nelson Piquet Jr: "I can't tell you how many times I've been asked already today if the pressure is off now I have my position as a Renault F1 test driver confirmed for next year. People have been asking if it really matters that I win the GP2 series now. Well the answer is that the pressure is not off and it really does matter. I still want to win this championship so much, it's what I have wanted for two seasons and it will feel like I have missed out on something if I can't win it. I also think it will help my career to have this win under my belt. But I'm sure that Lewis is feeling exactly the same way and because we are both fighters it's going to be a hell of a weekend for sure. I really love Monza, it's the fastest track of the year, and the only result that we can achieve to be in with a chance is to do a weekend similar to Budapest. We have to perform our absolute best and just hope that by doing our best it can be enough to win."
Racing Engineering - Adam Carroll
Great Britain's Adam Carroll heads into the final round of the GP2 season knowing any points from this weekend will boost his overall standings in the championship.
The Italian Grand Prix is a colourful, chaotic mix of the passionate tifosi at one of the most historic circuits in the world. As well as being GP2's finale, it's also the last European race on the F1 calendar. But if you think things are hotting up in F1 then GP2 is scorching!
None of the Drivers Championship positions are decided so there is all to play for and 23 year old Adam, who drives for Racing Engineering is still in with a chance of finishing anywhere between 5th and 10th in the overall positions!
"We have got to aim for as many points as possible. If it all went right for me and not so well for a few other drivers over the weekend then I still could get 5th in the championship, the same position I achieved last year, albeit with 3 wins. 5th place is what we must be aiming for at this stage."
Trident Racing - Gimmi Bruni and Andreas Zuber
Monza is one of the very few venues were Grand Prix racing gains quite a sacred sense. The magic in the park, in fact, is not felt just by the Italian tifosi but even, maybe even more, by the foreigner fans. For GP2 series Monza represents the last event of this outstanding 2006 championship. For Trident Racing, whose headoffice is located in Milan, this superfast track is the real homecircuit. After the Turkish victory, the whole team is motivated as never before to get back on the homerace podium. It will not be easy, as always happens in GP2, but challenge is the best fuel for Trident Racing's engine.
Gimmi Bruni: Quite for sure Monza will be my last GP2 race. Obviously I would like to give my farewell to this fantastic championship in the best way: winning. In GP2 I experienced very difficult moments but even outstanding moments, being able to win three beautiful races that I will never forget. I really desire to close in the best possible way this championship that probably is the best in the world of motor-racing.
Andreas Zuber: Now that I am part of the GP2 group of winning drivers, I feel Monza as even a stronger challenge. This time is different because for me Monza is magic. There are the tifosi, there is the history, there is a superfast track. But overall Monza is my team's real homerace. So I should like to bring home another good result to pay back the wonderful job they did for me during the whole season.