13/12/2007
NEWS STORY
The Zhuhai circuit in China is the venue for the final A1GP race of 2007. A1 Team Netherlands is anxious to take home a good result from a track which will see A1GP action for the first time. The team is currently fourth in the championship standings.
With Shanghai and Zhuhai there are two Chinese races on the calendar, just like last season. This time though the track is totally new to the teams and drivers. Those who quickly familiarize themselves with the 2.7 mile track, which previously hosted FIA GT and Champ Car events, do have a clear edge. Arie Luyendyk jr. will be the first one out for A1 Team Netherlands in the two times 25 minutes Rookie sessions. In the afternoon Jeroen Bleekemolen will see his first action of the weekend, during the first official free practice.
Arie Luyendyk jr; "I think it will be exciting to run here. There are a lot of slow speed corners. You have to be really well on the brakes here. Fortunately we only have to bed one set of brake pads and discs in practice, so I think we'll have more time to do some laps. Also, the lap is shorter. Its my first time in China and so far it is interesting and eye-opening. I'm just taking it all in."
Jeroen Bleekemolen; "I am very curious. Visiting a new track is a nice change, all the other tracks we visit this season we have been at before. Now it will be interesting to see how quickly people will learn. At the last race in Malaysia we were able to turn a car that was not competitive into a competitive one quite quickly. I do feel quite confident, I do learn new tracks quite quick myself as well. As far as that's concerned it should all be ok. It is quite a slow track, with only one semi-fast corner. It is also very technical and traction is very important. That's what we have to look for."