10/09/2009
NEWS STORY
This weekend, all eyes are turned on the penultimate round of the 2009 GP2 Series because Nico Hulkenberg (right) could become the first driver to secure the title before the final.
Since the series' inception in 2005, all GP2 Champions from Nico Rosberg to Giorgio Pantano have been crowned at the final Event, but Hülkenberg - who has never raced in Monza before this weekend - could beat that record should he manage to achieve a twenty-eight point lead over Vitaly Petrov by the end of Saturday's race. As of now, the German is twenty-seven points ahead of the pugnacious Russian.
However, the task will not be easy and not just because Petrov is a serious opponent. Monza is known to be the fastest track of the calendar: fast straights and corners requiring good aerodynamics are followed by slow chicanes demanding high traction. Once again, the set-up will be key in the race to the podium and everyone is now impatient for the action to unravel.
Super Nova Racing driver and local hero Luca Filippi is familiar with the challenging track: "I love Monza. Being Italian I go to Monza and find something special for myself; an extra power. Monza is unique. There aren't many corners, but there are huge differences between them. You need a really good car under braking, good traction, good straightline speed and good balance for the fast corners. The easiest place for overtaking is Turn 1, but the most spectacular is the Parabolica. If you get a good exit from Ascari, you can feint to the left and then brake later. But you have to get back on the power first, otherwise he will be back in front at the end of the next straight."