The paddock welcomes a new face this weekend, while regretting the departure of his predecessor. Giorgio Mondini joins the GP2 Series in place of the hapless Ryan Sharp, who asked to be released from his DPR contract early after a series of poor results and misfortune to rival that of either Garcia or Viso. The Italian is the reigning Formula Renault V6 champion, but has struggled to make his mark on the World Series by Renault this season. Looking for a confidence boost, he will line up alongside
double race winner Pla for the remainder of the season.
While the drivers' championship heated up last weekend, the lead in the teams’ championship also took a new twist, changing hands for the first time all season. Arden International, so long the benchmark in the series, slipped from the top spot as Rosberg's record 19-point haul and another podium for Premat in race one saw ART
Grand Prix’s benefit from its recent show of form to take the lead Ten points separate the two frontrunners heading to Hungary, so everything remains there to play for.
Behind the top two, Super Nova and iSport International are now equal on points in third and, like their respective lead drivers - Adam Carroll and
Scott Speed - are ready to make the most of any slip up which might befall the two protagonists at the head of the standings.
![Juan Cruz Alvarez and Alex Premat dispute territory in the centre of a four-way dash to the hairpin at Hockenheim [pic credit: GP2 media]](http://pix.crash.net/thumbs/162073.jpg)
