ART GP: Portimao, the finishing touch

If GP2 Series drivers have become accustomed to rubbing shoulders with the elite of the Formula 1 during the race weekend, it is this time with the FIA ​​GT field that GP2 will take place. The recent and demanding Portimao route, discovered by the pilots of Le Mans Series and Formula Renault 3.5 on August 1st, will be the host of all these beautiful people.

As for the drivers, this final round offers little suspense, as the positions seem fixed before the last two races of the season. In mind, one thing is certain, Nico Hulkenberg can no longer be reached, the German having mathematically assured his title at Monza. In second position, Vitaly Petrov is eleven points ahead of Lucas di Grassi, who is ahead of Pastor Maldonado by 21 points. There therefore remains a slight uncertainty over the identity of the driver who will take the second step of the podium in the general classification. But Vitaly Petrov, if he does not have a pointless weekend, should be vice-champion of the series.

The last duel which will liven up the Portimao weekend takes place in the team classification. With Nico Hülkenberg in its ranks, ART Grand Prix has a strong advantage against Barwa Addax, who is thirteen points behind. Vitaly Petrov and Davide Valsecchi will throw their last efforts into trying to snatch this first place in the constructors' ranking, being able to count on a possible release of the 2009 champion into the opposing ranks. But Pastor Maldonado, very consistent at the start of the season, could replace the German to obtain the necessary points.

By maintaining its lead, ART Grand Prix would therefore do the double by winning both championships, something which had not happened since 2006 and the advent of Lewis Hamilton, who left a few weeks later to join McLaren in Formula 1. A destiny that Nico Hülkenberg seems to follow, who made a strong impression throughout the season.