15/07/2008
NEWS STORY
The Bridgestone-supported GP2 Series heads to the forests of Germany and the circuit of Hockenheim for round six of the hotly-contested championship which provides the F1 drivers of tomorrow.
The 4.57 km Hockenheim track features 17 corners of varying intensity, ranging from the fast and sweeping Turn Five to the tight hairpin Turn Six which follows it. It's a real compromise circuit in terms of set-up, and one which puts heavy loads through the tyres at almost every point of a lap.
Bridgestone's medium compound Potenza slick GP2 tyre will be used here, the same tyre as used at the previous race at Silverstone. There was no round in Hockenheim last year, so teams and drivers will have to work hard to acquaint themselves with the requirements of the circuit and devise their strategies for the two races which take place over the Grand Prix weekend.
In 2006, Italian driver Gianmaria Bruni (Trident Racing) and German driver Timo Glock (iSport International) won a race apiece at Hockenheim. Neither driver is contesting this season's championship, leaving the way open for the 26 drivers who do line up on the grid to make their mark.
Heading to Hockenheim, Giorgio Pantano (Racing Engineering) leads the championship with 50 points from Bruno Senna (iSport) on 39. Sebastien Buemi (Arden) is in third place on 25 points. The teams' championship is led by iSport with 58 points, from Racing Engineering on 53. Campos are in third position with 45 points.
Hirohide Hamashima - Director of Bridgestone Motorsport Tyre Development: GP2 will run on the medium compound Bridgestone Potenza at Hockenheim, as in 2006, when the series last visited the track. Hockenheim is a fast and very tough circuit. In the second sector, Turn Five is a long corner putting stress on the right hand tyres. The first and last corners are also hard on the tyres with a greater wear rate on the left hand side. In addition, the two hairpins at Turns Six and Ten require good traction from the GP2/08 car. Due to all of these factors, tyre durability and tyre management during the race are very important at this circuit. On the final infield section, high grip is required at low speed.