While series organisers and race fans alike will be looking for the unexpected this weekend, the championship battle continues to feature two men who have seen their fortunes rise and fall during the season.
Heikki Kovalainen started the year strongly and, while not exactly tailing off, has seen his points accumulation drop slightly in recent weeks.
Nico Rosberg, by contrast, began quietly before becoming the form man leading up to the short summer break.
As a result, the series enters the final third of its inaugural season with Kovalainen leading the drivers’ championship standings by just seven points, 79 to 72, but it is not a two-horse race just yet, as
Scott Speed is still in the hunt for the title on 50 points, as are Rosberg's team-mate Alex Prémat, Neel Jani, Adam Carroll and 'Gimmi' Bruni, who rounds out the top seven on 33 points. With a maximum haul of 22 points available to a driver at each race - and a total of 88 on offer over the rest of the year - it is mathematically possible for any of the leading septet to win the championship…
“During the last few weeks, I’ve been spending some time with my fellow RDD colleagues in Biarritz where we had the last training camp of the season. We had a great time working together and it was really stimulating, but to tell you the truth, I cannot wait to get back to racing!" Kovalainen revealed.
"As the championship is nearing its conclusion, my motivation is getting even stronger. The team and I have made a lot of improvements on the car and we should be strong in this last part of the season. With four week-ends to go, and some very interesting tracks – including Turkey this weekend - the end of the GP2 Series will be all the more exciting. We’re expecting to score some new victories and podiums - and I can hardly wait!”
Rosberg is no less eager to resume hostilities, but insists that he is not thinking about a possible title just yet.
“The last few weeks have been really good," he smiled, "I’ve been relaxing, taking a holiday, and I am returning for the final four rounds refreshed and confident.
