It seems to have been a very long time since the GP2 Series last hit the track in Monaco, the cars silent while
Formula One took its annual sojourn in Canada and America, save for a major group test a couple of weeks ago.
Magny-Cours provides the backdrop for the series' return, with teams up and down the field hoping that the mid-season session will have provided a step forward akin to those enjoyed by ART Grand Prix and iSport International in recent years. Some, of course, need a leg-up more than others, but most need to find a little something - be it performance, consistency or reliability if they are to do anything about
Timo Glock.
The German, who leads the standings by 16 points over nearest rival Luca Filippi, has yet to finish off the podium in five races this year, despite some average qualifying positions by his standards, and remains on course to fulfil his destiny as pre-season championship favourite. However, with the bulk of the season still to run, and each race weekend reverting to typical double-header status after the single race in Monaco, one difficult weekend for Glock and iSport - and a good one for his principal rivals - could see the gap eaten away.
Behind Filippi, Bruno Senna lies third on 18 points, level with Lucas di Grassi, while Monaco race winner Pastor Maldonado is six further back, three ahead of Giorgio Pantano, the man he beat in the Principality. With five different winners - from five different teams - so far this year, it could still be anyone’s championship.
The mid-season test came earlier than in any previous GP2 Series calendar - so wasn't exactly 'mid-season' - but provided extra confidence for iSport, with the hitherto luckless Andreas Zuber dominating both days.
![Timo Glock - iSport International [pic credit: GP2 Media]](http://pix.crash.net/thumbs/339363.jpg)
