The final team in the pit-lane this year has no intention of filling Campos' shoes as backmarkers, having signed a seasoned pro and eager newcomer. Trident Racing is the outfit that lured Bruni away from Durango although, in truth the Italian squad knew it was little more than a holding station while Bruni's management went about applying for the expansion slot being made available for 2006.
A race winner in 2005, following his step back from a disappointing
F1 campaign with Minardi, Bruni saw his title aspirations scuppered by retirements at Coloni. The late season switch to Durango produced pole at Spa but little else, before moving on Trident, where he is joined by another World Series convertee, Andreas Zuber. The Austrian was a race winner last year, when running with Carlin Motorsport, and was among the first confirmed signings for 2006. Unable to test until the official pre-season sessions started in 2006, Trident has shown little sign of being 'behind the eight ball' and there is no reason why it cannot challenge for honours this year.
On the technical side, series organisers have introduced a handful of 'modifications' to the Dallara used in the championship last season, designed to improve competition and maintain the excitement and unpredictability seen in 2005.
The 2006 car will feature one major aerodynamic change, with the rear wing now in biplane configuration, with the triple-plane version used in 2005 now only permitted for use at Monaco. The cars will also feature reinforced front upper and lower wishbones and reinforced front and rear suspension uprights, while Brembo has developed new 'monobloc' brake calipers and disc bells, which will be used exclusively by the GP2 Series in 2006.
