19/07/2007
NEWS STORY
The GP2 Series arrives at the awesome Nürburgring circuit in the Eifel region of Germany this weekend for the sixth round of the 2007 championship. This season is turning out to be possibly the most open and competitive in GP2 Series history, with nine different drivers taking victory in the opening nine races of the season. And with many pre-season favourites yet to score their first win of the season, the tally of race winners could grow yet further this weekend on one of the toughest circuits of the year.
Championship leader Timo Glock's grasp on the 2007 title is hanging by a thread. In the last four races the sole points he has taken have been for pole position back in Magny Cours. This weekend, on his home circuit, the German needs to take back his early- season momentum and start scoring points again. With his main rivals Lucas di Grassi and Luca Filippi just two and four points behind him respectively, another non-scoring weekend for Timo will almost certainly result in us leaving Germany with a new championship leader.
But while one GP2 Series German has it all to do, the other has been left with nothing to do. Following an early-season wrist injury Michael Ammermüller has spent much of 2007 on the sidelines. Red Bull and ART Grand Prix have now reached a decision to replace him for this weekend's race with Swiss sensation Sébastien Buemi, who made such an outstanding GP2 Series debut for the squad in Monaco where he qualified fourth and finished in the points.
Sébastien will not be the only series returnee this weekend however, as Ernesto Viso is due to make his comeback for Racing Engineering. The Venezuelan has been given permission by his doctors to attend the German event, and he will face a check-up from the FIA medics on his arrival at the Nürburgring. Should he be judged fit to race, it will mark an incredible return to form for Ernie, who was involved in an enormous accident just three weeks ago in Magny-Cours.
It's been four long races for Timo Glock (right), who has seen his 39 point tally and hitherto championship lead cut to just two points by the consistency of Lucas di Grassi who now sits second on 37. With Luca Filippi snapping at the Brazilian's heels on 35, Bruno Senna nine points back on 24, Giorgio Pantano on 23, Andi Zuber on 20 and Pastor Maldonado on 19, this season has got a long way to go before we are any closer to determining who the real contenders for championship glory will be.
In the teams' championship iSport International still lead, and as we come to the German weekend their tally of 59 points sees them hold a 12 point advantage over Super Nova International. ART Grand Prix sit third on 43, with Campos Grand Prix just nine points behind the champions in fourth. Arden International lie fifth on 30 points with Dams sixth on 24.
Provided by the GP2 Series Media Service
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