With 16 races out of 20 completed, junior formula stalwart and ex-F1 legend Giorgio Pantano is showing everyone the way with a 13 point lead over the late Ayrton Senna’s nephew Bruno, while Lucas Di Grassi holds third spot, seven points further back, despite missing the first three events of the season. Pre-season title favourite Romain Grosjean lies in fourth, 29 points off Pantano’s pace, after a dreadfully unlucky season, while there are still minor mathematical chances for Sebastien Buemi, Pastor Maldonado, Andi Zuber and Karun Chandhok. But there’s probably more chance of stability at Newcastle United.Who’s in form?
The simple answer to that question is Di Grassi. The Brazilian gave Pantano and Senna a 24 point headstart, and has finished out of the top 5 only twice in his 10 races, taking victories on Saturday in Hungary and on Sunday at the last round in Valencia. However, he does remain 20 points behind the Italian, who has taken 4 victories, all of them in Saturday’s rather less mickey mouse Feature race, and it would’ve been five if he hadn’t run out of fuel on the final lap in Valencia. Between them is Bruno Senna, who took a dominant victory in Monaco’s Feature and a very impressive win in a typically damp British Sprint.
Where are they racing?
The final two events are at 2 of the world’s classic circuits. This weekend the circus travels to Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium for arguably the greatest drivers’ circuit of them all. Twenty corners of all varieties, from the first gear La Source Hairpin and Bus Stop Chicane to the sweeping Fagnes Chicane, the challenging Pouhon and, of course, the down/up/left/right Eau Rouge. Pantano’s one start here in Formula 1 brought him a first lap retirement from the back row of the grid, while his F3000 and GP2 races here have not been overly kind to him – in six starts he has one win and no other points to show for his efforts. Di Grassi has finished third 3 times in 4 races at Spa (twice in GP2 last year and also in the F3 Euroseries in 2005). Senna left Belgium last year pointless, but scored a double 3rd place finish in British F3 in 2006.
The following weekend the curtain comes down on the 2008 season at Monza, featuring the fantastic high speed Lesmos and Parabolica, as well as big stops into the Rettifilio and Roggia chicanes. Pantano will feel confident racing at home, having taken four victories and two third place finishes here in F3000 and GP2 over the years, although he spun and crashed in what turned out to be his final F1 race at Monza in 2004. Di Grassi has scored just 3 points at Monza in his GP2 outings, while Senna took 4th and 3rd in the two races last year after a pair of points finishes at Monza in British F3 in 2005.
Anything else?
Well, there’s no I in ‘team’, but there is in iSport, who lead the team standings, 7 points clear of Campos Grand Prix and a further 3 ahead of Racing Engineering. One suspects that if Adrian Campos had run a two car team from the start of the season (Ben Hanley drive alongside Vitaly Petrov for 3 rounds before Di Grassi was brought in) they may well be leading the title race. As it is, the performances of Senna and Chandhok have seen iSport take advantage. Racing Engineering have also virtually been a one car team, with Javier Villa failing to provide any real support for Pantano. ART Grand Prix (who took Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton to their Championships) have had a terrible season, not helped by employing Luca Filippi, a problem which has also afflicted the once great Arden team (F3000 Champions in 2002 through 2004).
So who’s going to win?
The smart money has to be on the experienced and consistent Giorgio Pantano to take the title. With four wins to his credit, two more than any other driver, you have to fancy him to maintain his lead. Di Grassi has been tremendous since his return to the series, and could well pip Senna to the runner-up spot for the second year in a row. Either way, it’s going to be a dramatic and exciting conclusion to the season, and Patty will have it covered for you with reports from Belgium and Italy.
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|
