24/09/2005
NEWS STORY
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Brazil took the first ever pole position in the A1 Grand Prix series at Brands Hatch.
In a close fought session, Nelson Piquet edged out New Zealand and France, as several teams, most notably USA and Netherlands appeared to lose direction, finishing way off the pace.
With the aggregate of the best two times from four sessions deciding the grid order for Sunday's sprint race, Piquet, who had finished quickest in the first and third sessions, didn't go out in the final session due to an electrical problem.
Nonetheless, his aggregate time was enough to give him pole ahead of New Zealand, which finished second quickest in two sessions. France was quickest in session one, while Britain had the edge in session three.
For a while it appeared that qualifying might be dogged by the same 'mishaps' that have marred the practice sessions, when Canada Sean Macintosh lost it at Westfield, span and became beached on the kerbs, resulting in the red flags being brought out for the umpteenth time.
However, for the most part, the remainder of the two-hour session remained relatively mistake free.
Therefore, New Zealand starts ahead of New Zealand, with France and Australia starting from the second row. Britain starts fifth, ahead of Switzerland, Mexico, Pakistan, Malaysia and Japan. China and Russia, in particular, remain worryingly off the pace.
"For me it was great," said Nelson Piquet following the session. "From the first session onwards everything worked perfectly. I went out on new tyres in the first part, and did a good time, used old tyres in the second and then for the third put on another new set. In the last session I still had a new set to use but there was a small electrical problem so I decided not to go out and risk it.
"The team did a very good job and I did not get any traffic - we chose a perfect strategy," he added. "I think it's an excellent qualifying format. To go out and get a perfect lap is not easy and that's the way you have to do it here, you have to be consistent."
"I was really confident because the car was really great," said Alexandre Premat (France). "In qualifying one it was a little more difficult to drive because I used old tyres but went on to new ones for session two. By session four, I was more confident with the car. I wanted to fight with Nelson Piquet for pole so I don't think this is a bad result especially as this is our first qualifying."
The stars of the show had to be New Zealand, and Mexico, Salvador Duran being very quick and aggressive, while Matt Halliday is a revelation.
The disappointments were Netherlands and USA, with Jan Lammers (Netherlands) admitting that Jos Verstappen was "struggling for grip", while USA put its problems down to dampers.
Generally the drivers feel that the tyres are difficult to get used to as they are so hard and durable. Indeed, many are finding that they are struggling to get heat in to the rears and suffering the consequences when out for a one lap banzai. Some are even using tyre warmers - which is very odd.
The Sprint race on Sunday is contested over 50 miles lasting up to 30 minutes in duration. With a rolling start at 13.30 BST, tomorrow's race will be run over 18 laps of the Grand Prix circuit. The outcome of the race determines the grid position of the Feature race which will start at 15.00 BST with a standing start. The Feature race will be run over 100 miles (36 laps) lasting up to 60 minutes in duration.
Malaysia is the only team that will take advantage of the rule whereby the drive can be 'split', allowing one driver to contest the Sprint race and another to compete in the Feature event. In a twist to the traditional motor racing format, nominated drivers who did not participate in the qualifying session can race if they have posted an official practice time within 102% of his team mate’s fastest qualifying time. Under this rule, Team Malaysia has selected Fairuz Fauzy to drive in the Sprint race and Alex Yoong in the Feature race.
"I'm very over the moon and am very proud to be given the chance to be representing Malaysia in the first race of the A1 Grand Prix season," said Fauzy. "I look forward to racing hard tomorrow and bringing home a good result for our country."
"It's the first race of the season," added Yoong, "the boys have done a great job preparing the car, and ninth spot isn't a bad place to be in; it's a good starting position. I think we have the pace to run in the top five and I'm really looking forward to tomorrow."
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