17/10/2005
NEWS STORY
After A1 Team Germany scored its best result of the season by taking home seven points at the second round of the A1 Grand Prix series in the Lausitz, Willi Weber’s team wishes to continue this trend at the race in Estoril between 21 and 23 October. The 25 nations compete in the third of the new race series’ twelve races held this season on the 4.36 kilometre Grand Prix circuit. All teams use the standard 520 hp formula car, which can muster 550 hp for a limited duration by pressing a "PowerBoost" button and therefore ensure an exciting race with many overtaking manoeuvres.
Germany improved its position in the "World Cup in Motorsport" standings by six places to tenth overall following a fifth place in the sprint race and tenth position in the main race at the previous round at the EuroSpeedway. "Our goal is to climb up the leader board as high as possible by securing a good result in both races", stresses Willi Weber. "The upward trend is a good sign, we have absolutely no doubts about the quality of our drivers’ skills, and I now expect a convincing performance from the entire team."
Timo Scheider competed in the races on the first two weekends, now it is the turn of A1 Team Germany signing Adrian Sutil to race. "I’m already looking forward to Estoril, since I know the circuit from the tests and from a Formula 3 race there", says the 22-year old "star of tomorrow" from Gräfelfing. "It has paid dividends to accompany the team to all the races and tests till now, and to develop the relationship between myself and the technicians. I know what they require after each practice and have a good idea how we can continue to improve the set-up of the A1 Grand Prix race car."
On the agenda at the last European start of the A1 Grand Prix series in Estoril, just as there was at the previous European rounds, there will be a sprint race of approximately 30 minutes duration and a main race over 60 minutes including a mandatory pit stop. Afterwards, the series lines up on the grid overseas, starting in Australia, Malaysia and Dubai this year, and between January and April it appears in Indonesia, South Africa, Brazil, Mexico, the USA and in China.