After 21 races in nine countries, the GP2 series touches down in Bahrain - its first non-European destination - this week with two combatants still locked in battle for the inaugural drivers' title.
While the teams' trophy is already being engraved with the name of his ART Grand Prix
equipe,
Nico Rosberg holds but a slim three-point advantage over long-time championship leader
Heikki Kovalainen with two races to run, almost ensuring that the title will not be decided until the final chequered flag falls on Friday afternoon.
After struggling in Turkey, and seeing Kovalainen re-establish a stronger position at the head of the table, Rosberg hit back at both Monza and Spa, circuits he correctly claimed would suit both his style and the strengths of the ART car. If Kovalainen needed any further warning of the German's intent this weekend, Rosberg also believes that the Bahrain International Circuit will play to those same advantages.
“I am very optimistic that our car will be quick in Bahrain," Rosberg insists, "I like the circuit very much, as it is unique and has perfect possibilities to overtake. Last year, I won the F3 Macau-Bahrain-Challenge Cup there and hope that will be a good omen.
"My attitude towards the championship is still the same - concentrate on the upcoming qualifying and race. But it is a bit harder to ignore the championship when you go to the last event as the leader. You can be sure that we will fight for it until the last lap!”
The additional fact that the former F3 Euroseries racer already has experience of the Sakhir facility from last year's F3 Festival, means that Kovalainen will have to ensure that he is on top of his game right from the first of the week's
two qualifying sessions.
![GP2 title rivals Heikki Kovalainen (Arden) and Nico Rosberg (ART) square up in Bahrain [Pic credit: GP2 Media]](http://pix.crash.net/thumbs/175071.jpg)
