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Preview: Saelens not fit, Nordic odds on

David Saelens has failed to get back to full fitness in time for this weekend's FIA International Formula 3000 race at Hockenheim, after injuring his back in an accident during qualifying at Silverstone two weeks ago

The European Minardi Junior team driver jarred his spine and bruised his wrist after bouncing across the gravel trap at Becketts corner during the second qualifying session for the British GP support race.

It was originally thought that the Belgian would be out of action for up to six weeks, but such was the pace of his recovery, Saelens looked like he might make it back for the German race this weekend. However, doctors have decided to put off his return, to ensure he makes a full recovery before getting back in the car.

"David has done a great job to come as far as he has and as quickly as he has," said a team spokesman. "But we don't want to damage his recovery by putting him back in the car too early. He is about 90 percent fit and we certainly expect him to be back in the car for Hungary [on August 18]."

Saelens' absence leaves the way clear for former Jaguar test driver Tomas Scheckter, who tested for the European Minardi Junior squad at Spa-Francorchamps last weekend. The South African competed in three F3000 races last year with the now defunct McLaren Junior team with some success, including a second place at Hockenhiem.

Meanwhile, the battle for the drivers' championship rolls on and after holding on to take second place behind Sebastien Bourdais at Sliverstone, Justin Wilson remains at the top with 43 points, albeit only four ahead of main rival Mark Webber. Wilson's Nordic Racing team mate Tomas Enge still looms in third place on 34 points.

As ever in F3000, a high grid spot will be paramount this weekend as the teams head to the long tree-lined straights and sporadic chicanes of the Hockenheim circuit.

The top three of Wilson, Webber and Enge have taken all bar two of this year's eight pole positions. Wilson and his team mate also topped the times during testing at the German circuit in May and the championship leader expects more of the same in tomorrow's (Friday's) qualifying sessions.

"We tested well here a few weeks ago," said Wilson, "and I shall be looking towards another podium finish, which if things go to plan will be on the top of the podium. As usual, all this starts in qualifying, but I am confident that both Tomas and I will be at the front of the grid again."

Enge, who disappointingly dropped from third to fifth at Silverstone on the last lap when his engine died, won in Germany last year and the Czech needs to finish ahead of his rivals to get back on terms in the championship.

The top three cannot expect to have it all their own way however. Bourdais finally found his winning feet at Silverstone and expect the DAMS ace to continue his momentum this weekend.

Petrobras Junior team driver Antonio Pizzonia will also be hoping to capitalise on his maiden visit to the podium from two weeks ago, but the young Brazilian is once again at the disadvantage of never having visited the Hockenheimring before.

British ace Darren Manning still continues to attract trouble and doses of bad luck in the races, but after two consecutive points finishes in France and at Silverstone, the Yorkshireman is more than capable of getting back onto the podium on Saturday.

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