Round 9 preview

The penultimate round of the 2009 GP2 Series takes place this weekend at the Autodromo Nazionale di Monza

All eyes are turned this weekend on the penultimate round of the 2009 GP2 Series because one man  could  become  the  first  driver  to  secure  the  title  before  the  last  event.  Since  the  Series inception in 2005, all GP2 Champions from Nico Rosberg to Giorgio Pantano have been crowned during the final Event, but Nico Hülkenberg - who has never raced in Monza before this weekend - could beat that record should he manage to achieve a twenty-eight point lead on Vitaly Petrov by the end of Saturday’s race.

As of now, the German is twenty-seven points ahead of the pugnacious Russian. However,  the  task  will  surely  not  be  easy  and  not  just  because  Petrov  is  a  serious  opponent. Monza is known to be the fastest track of the calendar: fast straights and corners requiring good aerodynamics are followed by slow chicanes demanding high traction.

Once again, the set-up will be key in the race to the podium and everyone is now impatient for the action to unravel. Super Nova Racing driver and local hero Luca Filippi is familiar with the challenging track: “I love Monza. Being Italian I go to Monza and find something special for myself; an extra power. Monza is unique.  There  aren’t  many  corners,  but  there  are  huge  differences  between  them.  You  need  a really good car under braking, good traction, good straightline speed and good balance for the fast corners. The easiest place for overtaking is Turn 1, but the most spectacular is the Parabolica. If you get a good exit from Ascari, you can feint to the left and then brake later. But you have to get back on the power first, otherwise he will be back in front at the end of the next straight.”

Schedule Friday 11th September

11.55 – 12.25 Practice

16.00 – 16.30 Qualifying

Saturday 12th September

16.00 Race 1

 Sunday 13th

September 10.30 Race 2