11/04/2007
NEWS STORY
They say in motorsport you're only as good as your last result in which case A1 Team Great Britain arrives in China this week ahead of Round 10 of the 2006-07 A1GP World Cup of Motorsport, 13th-15th April, feeling pretty good having dominated the previous round in Mexico City with Oliver Jarvis behind the wheel.
While the team hopes to carry that momentum into this weekend's penultimate round at the stunning Shanghai International Circuit, before heading back to home soil and the season finale at Brands Hatch, 27th-29th April, it will do so without the services of Jarvis as the 23-year-old's commitments in the 2007 All-Japan F3 Championship clash with the Chinese A1GP meeting.
The team's driver line-up will again reflect a blend of youth and experience as Robbie Kerr (right) returns to racing duties, the former British F3 Champion looking to emulate Jarvis' top step podium success having finished runner-up in the South African Feature race back in Round 8, while 2006 McLaren Autosport BRDC Young Driver of the Year, Oliver Turvey, steps up to fulfill Friday morning rookie duties, the 19-year-old making his A1GP debut.
China is proving to be a second home to the A1GP series with this weekend's event in Shanghai the second race meeting in the country this season following Round 3's trip to Beijing last November. The Shanghai International Circuit also played host to last season's grand finale, the Hermann Tilke-designed track, home of the Chinese Grand Prix, showcasing maiden wins for two former F1 racers with Malaysia's Alex Yoong taking victory in the Sprint race while Tomas Enge of the Czech Republic rounded the year off with a Feature race triumph.
China's proved kind to A1 Team Great Britain with Darren Manning taking a second place Sprint podium on his series debut last April, the ex-BAR Honda F1 test driver chasing Yoong home at the checkered, while Oliver Jarvis similarly found the podium in China on his A1GP debut, the Cambridgeshire ace scoring a second place Feature race finish earlier this season on the streets of Beijing.
Robbie Kerr finally gets a crack at competing in China this weekend, a fact he's clearly pleased with. "I'm really looking forward to racing in Shanghai," said Kerr. "I wasn't able to race at the track last season as it clashed with my World Series by Renault campaign but I've only ever heard good things about it. The team ran well at the circuit last year, Darren planted the car on the front-row for the Sprint and finished on the podium. The team's confidence is naturally high following a great showing in Mexico and I think we're going to be in good shape in China to go for a repeat performance."
Great Britain's win in Mexico City saw the team climb back up to third in the A1GP Nations Standings. Trailing New Zealand by just 13 points with two rounds remaining, the team is still aiming to improve upon last season's third place finish behind Switzerland and World Champion's France.