01/07/2008
NEWS STORY
Mid-season is upon us and Great-Britain welcomes the fifth round of the 2008 GP2 Series Championship. Two weeks ago, in Magny-Cours, Giorgio Pantano snatched a second win that allowed him to retake the lead and leave his rivals behind - the closest one being Bruno Senna. The Brazilian, who started on pole in last feature race, salvaged just a few points in France, enough however to stay second in the drivers' standing and to remain a serious title candidate. Meanwhile, following his strong win in last sprint race, Sébastien Buemi entered the Top 3, standing one point ahead of Romain Grosjean and Alvaro Parente, both stuck with 19 points after a challenging French Round.
Concerning the Team Championship, the title is still up for grabs: if iSport International are still leading with 41 points, Racing Engineering stand dangerously close with 38 points, as are Piquet Sports with 35 points. It's in this suspenseful context that the GP2 Series circus set up camp in the home of British motorsport.
British-born Mike Conway, currently 10th in the drivers' championship, is already an old-hand around the Silverstone circuit: "The first sector is great fun to drive. From that start finish straight you are in 5th gear into the corner, a tiny stab on the brake, then you just attack, attack all the way, but being careful not to step on to the run-off area, which can pull you off – it's really easy to get caught out. Then you're into the Maggotts-Becketts-Chapel complex which again is really fast – you have to stay smooth through there, keeping as much speed as you can and getting a fast exit onto Hanger straight. Down Hangar into Stowe, a fast entry then down two gears, and along a short straight before entering the quick left/right of Club. It's easy to have difficulties with traction here, so the line is critical. A dash down to Abbey, and there's nothing too technical here, just remember to use a lot of curb and watch out for that tricky bump on the exit, especially in the wet. Bridge comes up quickly and is very fast, flat when it's dry, which means Priory arrives even faster. The apex is blind, so watch the entry. There are two slow lefthanders which need you to brake as late as possible then is bang on the power again all the way around Woodcote and onto the straight, time it all properly and you hit 6th gear before passing the start/finish line…then you get to do it all again!"