For the first time since its inception, the GP2 Series will race twice around the streets of Monaco this weekend, but will that mean twice the opportunity for glory, or double the trouble caused by navigating the tight confines of the Principality?
The series arrives at its third round having seen four different drivers - Alvaro Parente, Kamui Kobayashi, Giorgio Pantano and Romain Grosjean - take the chequered flag so far this season, with the Italian veteran jumping into the points lead in Turkey last time out. Pantano's wise 'old' head will be a valuable asset this weekend, but even he will know that experience isn't the only key to success in Monaco.
Unlike either the
Formula One or World Series by Renault series, which both have 'rest days' during the weekend, one mistake for the GP2 runners could been catastrophic, with practice and qualifying taking place on Thursday, and the two races on Friday and Saturday.
Pantano may have finished second on the road ahead of eventual champion
Timo Glock last year, but the man who beat him - and was heading for a massive victory margin - is also back on the grid. Pastor Maldonado may have switched from Trident Racing to Piquet Sport for 2008, but has shown great pace in both the rounds so far, and has something of a Monaco pedigree having also dominated the 2006 World Series race in the Principality.
“To win in Monaco is fantastic," admitted the Venezuelan, who claimed pole at the opening 2008 round in Spain, "It's the most important race in the whole season and
the most difficult circuit of the year. You cannot make any mistakes, not even the slightest. It is so narrow and reaction times are so short.
“Remember, this is a street circuit and so the track surface has very little grip, you slide a lot and it's very bumpy. For these reasons, the set-up we use for the car in Monaco is a one-off but, as it's incredibly difficult to overtake at Monaco, the most important thing is qualifying - if you are on pole position and at the front of the field, you have 80 per cent of the race in your pocket.
