Pantano recorded two amazing victories on his home track last season, and the Italian will be hoping for a repeat performance this season as he aims not only to take the advantage, not only in the battle for third overall, but also in the vague hope that he can overhaul the top two. The same goes for Adam Carroll, whose FMS International team carried Giorgio to his victories last season and has inspired the Briton to his run of success since returning at Magny-Cours. The team's know-how at what amounts to its home track could be all important, as could Filippi’s storming reputation at Monza.
Once again, the GP2 merry-go-round has spun again, this time with DPR finally conceding that Christian Bakkerud’s back injury needs long-term care. With the Dane forced out, in steps Olivier Pla, who ran with the squad in 2005 and 2006, taking two wins in the first season, and who recently tested the new 2008 car. BCN, meanwhile, will have Markus Niemela back in action after he was sidelined in Turkey, while Ricardo Risatti returns to Trident for a second weekend as stand-in for injured regular Pastor Maldonado.
