30/10/2005
NEWS STORY
With the European leg of the A1 Grand Prix calendar behind us, A1 Team Netherlands travels to Eastern Creek in Australia for the fourth round. The Eastern Creek circuit, located just outside Sydney is for A1 Team Netherlands, Jos Verstappen and almost all other teams an unfamiliar track. A1 Team Netherlands will arrive in Australia lying 9th in the Championship with 15 points out of the first three races.
Jos Verstappen: "I have had a quick look at the track lay out on the computer, but you can't really work with that. When I arrive there I will first go for a walk around the circuit. Only then you can say more. For me it it's, normally speaking, not to difficult learning new circuits. Travelling there is quite tough, the nine hours time difference is something you will feel physically. I'm travelling there on time to get acclimatised", says Jos who looking back on the first three races is very pleased with the progress the team has made. "Especially with the car, it really handles a lot better."
After the ups and downs of the Estoril race, with a fourth place in the Sprint race and the crash in the Feature race, A1 Team Netherlands is focused even more to continue the progress that was also made in Portugal. After the crash of Verstappen at Estoril, the A1 Team Netherlands car was flown back to England straight away to be repaired by Lola. The orange car was put on the plane to Sydney on the Sunday before the race, in order to make sure that the car is delivered to the team in time.
Jan Lammers: " It's going to be a spectacular weekend, that's for sure. There are not many possibilities for overtaking at Eastern Creek. You have to use your power boosts intelligently. It's going to be a big battle for the win, because most drivers don't know the circuit" , says Jan who drove at Eastern Creek with the Toyota Sports Cars. "The ambiance is going to be great, with the Australian fans, who always are enthusiastic, as we can see in the F1 race there each year. As far as our team is concerned after the first six races we are happy with the progress, both from the team and the drivers. The two 7th place finishes and the 4th place tell you something about where we are at the moment, but the same goes for the three non finishes. We are aiming for at least a top six position to start with, which should be well possible because only few have got experience on this circuit. It's also going to be a race within a race. All teams together have to build A1 Grand Prix as spectacular Motorsport entertainment and as A1 Team Netherlands we have to race the others, grow and try to see if we can end the season in the top of the Championship".
The Eastern Creek circuit has a length of 3.93 km and is driven anti-clockwise, like the EuroSpeedway in Germany. The current lap record was set back in 2000 by Tim Leahy, who with a Formula Holden car set a lap time of 1:22.513. According to some, that record might well be broken during the A1 Grand Prix.
The support program for the A1 Grand Prix in Australia is very well filled. Sheikh Maktoum Hasher Maktoum Al Maktoum himself will get behind the wheel of the A1 Grand Prix car for a couple of laps on the Eastern Creek circuit. One of the spectators will be Alan Jones, the Seat Holder for A1 Team Australia and off course former F1 World Champion.
During the race weekend the program is also fully packed, with various races and demonstrations. The Australian F3 Championship will be present, as well as the Formula Fords and Historic Racing cars.