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GP2 Series: Season preview

The start of the European leg of the Formula 1 season also heralds the coming of another year of GP2. The field is, as usual, a blend of the ultra-experienced and the hungry rookies. Mark Glendenning assesses their chances

Can anyone stop Lucas di Grassi from finally getting his hands on the GP2 trophy this year?

In the estimation of most - himself included - the Brazilian will be the guy against whom everyone else is measured when the 2009 field assembles for the first time in Barcelona this weekend. He has pace, experience, and a track record of success in the series. On top of that, his move from Campos/Barwa to Racing Engineering means that he also has the car that won last year's championship in the hands of Giorgio Pantano.

"I think we look very good," di Grassi admits. "But at this stage I don't really think a lot about the championship. I'll just try to win at Barcelona and we'll see how the championship develops. But I would rate ourselves as being in a very good position to fight for wins every weekend."

Having finished the previous two seasons in second and third, the stark fact is that from a career point of view, anything less than taking the championship - and doing it convincingly - could have dire ramifications for his career. Merely winning the GP2 title is no longer guaranteed to kick doors open in F1, as Pantano will unhappily attest.

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