30/09/2008
NEWS STORY
After a solid preparation for the fourth A1GP World Cup of Motorsport season A1 Team Netherlands is looking forward to their home race at Circuit Park Zandvoort with confidence and ambition.
With Jeroen Bleekemolen and Robert Doornbos A1 Team Netherlands has got a strong driver line up this season. The opening weekend will be for Jeroen, who wants to make a strong start for the Netherlands on the seaside circuit he knows by heart. Last year he finished on the podium in the Sprintrace and many will remember the memorable race in 2006 when Bleekemolen made over 120,000 spectators go crazy with excitement. The 26-year old driver has already shone on numerous occasions and is confident that he can do it again this year.
The 4.320 km circuit will have a première on October 5th with the opening round of the 20 race season, it is the first ever race with a complete grid of Ferrari Formula cars. These are also the fastest ever cars competing in an official race at Zandvoort and it is expected that the lap times will be significantly faster than last year.
In the build up towards the season A1 Team Netherlands has made maximum usage of the testing opportunities. Compared to last year the team has got a couple of new faces, but cooperation in the new composition went very well from the start.
The confidence is there allright, especially because the team will feel strengthened by the support of the spectator crowds. There is no doubt that there will be another major party on October 5th as the many enthusiastic spectators will paint the Zandvoort dunes orange. Everyone at the track will also be greeted by four F-16 fighter planes of the Dutch Royal Air Force, which will perform a fly by over the starting grid just before the start of the Feature race.
It will be hard work for the team, with two official practice sessions being held on Saturday morning, followed by the qualifying sessions in the afternoon. Sunday morning will be for the Sprintrace, this year with the mandatory pitstop. The Feature race, with two mandatory stops, wil be run in the afternoon.
A1GP has made a change in the points system, also instegated by the fact that some teams won’t be present in Zandvoort. This season the best nine weekends will count for the championship, in other words; every team has the right to scratch one weekend.
RTLGP will have extensive live coverage of the opening round of the A1GP World Cup of Motorsport season 2008/09 season and just like last year the A1 Team Netherlands team radio communication will be broadcasted live and uncut during qualifying and the races.
Jan Lammers; "We are fortunate to be able to kick off at Zandvoort yet again, the first two editions were absolute hits with record breaking spectator numbers. The ticket sales are again going very well and I am sure that we will not disappoint our fans. We have got ace drivers with Jeroen Bleekemolen and Robert Doornbos and both of them are in the winning mood this year. Our competition thinks that we have got a good shot at it this year and these expectations strengthen us and we would love to capitalize on this. A starting grid full of A1GP Powered by Ferrari Formula cars is a unique moment in motorsport history and we are privileged to be part of this, great!"
Jeroen Bleekemolen; "I think back of the last A1GP races at Zandvoort with a lot of great memories. For a Dutch driver this is certainly one of the most beautiful races to drive. Everyone dressed in orange and going crazy. Being at the start with the Ferrari makes it even more memorable. I have tested for a couple of days and feel at home in the car. At Zandvoort the lap times will be dropping a lot with the huge amount of downforce this car generates. I am also very positive about our chances. The team was the first to finish the car and they have adapted to each other well. I will do everything I can to give the Dutch audience a great weekend!"