04/10/2008
NEWS STORY
Netherlands - Pole Position
Jeroen Bleekemolen has given A1 Team Netherlands the pole position for the A1GP Zandvoort Sprint race. On the seaside circuit the team lived up to the role of favorites, some that some had accredited them, by just fending off New Zealand and Ireland in a qualifying that went right to the wire.
The free practice sessions for A1 Team Netherlands home race were a first sign. Early in the session Bleekemolen set lap times that were out of reach for the rest. Only in the second segment of the first free practice it was Italy just in front, as the track dried after a short shower. It remained dry for the rest of the day.
The A1GP qualifying was altered for this event. Due to the late arrival of some teams, including China and Portugal A1GP had decided to change the session. Instead of four segments, the first two determining the Sprint race grid, the latter two the Feature race grid, there was now one session which ran for an hour, with no limit for the teams on the number of laps. During the session the teams had two sets of new tyres and the possibility to use the powerboost button four times in total, in order to set a faster time. The times also only determined the Sprint Race starting grid.
A1 Team Netherlands went out for three runs and immediately Bleekemolen set the tone by setting a fastest lap with quite a big margin. The second run of Jeroen had to be aborted due to a red flag, after Australia had crashed. By then Ireland had taken the provisional pole and was about six tenths clear. In his final run on new tyres Jeroen gave it all and as he passed the finish line the crowds on the packed main grandstand and in the dunes cheered. The dying minutes of the session were tense though, both for A1 Team Netherlands and the Netherlands fans lining the circuit, there were still ten minutes left. In the end the time of 1'24.213 proved to be three tenths faster than both New Zealand and Ireland and Jeroen was able to celebrate his second A1GP pole.
Jeroen Bleekemolen: "There is no better way to start the season. On pole at your home race. From this morning on we were constantly on top, but then you still have to capitalize on this. The car felt really good, both this morning in the wet as well as on a dry track. Straight after my last run I really felt that this might well be good enough for the provisional pole. After the final red flag because of Frankrijk going off it got tense for a bit, because everyone still had time for a run and some also had new tyres left. Then those dying minutes of qualifying really get exciting, despite the fact that I have been in similar situations before. Driving with the powerboost is a bit tricky, you have only got four of them and when you use one and make a mistake straight after you are done for."
Jan Lammers: "Off course pole position is great. When you announce your ambition before the season and you can immediately fill in a part of that ambition, it is a good omen, but it is also only half time. For now let's enjoy that we are on pole at half time. Tomorrow we will have to start from the beginning, but we will also start from the front. There are some good young racing talents up front, the drivers are happy with the cars. We are very proud to have Jeroen starting in front."
Ireland - Qualified 3rd
Team Ireland's Adam Carroll ended a highly competitive first day of the A1GP World Cup of Motorsport season by qualifying his bright green A1GP ‘Powered by Ferrari' car in third place for tomorrow's opening round of the series in Zandvoort Park, Holland.
The 25 year old from Portadown fought a close battle with the Dutch team throughout the day and for much of the one hour qualifying Team Ireland headed the time sheets before The Netherlands, New Zealand and Malaysia dropped him to fourth in the closing minutes. Blocked by traffic early on his final qualifying run, Carroll managed to complete three successive qualifying laps on his Michelin tyres to pip Malaysia for third, finishing 0.022s behind A1 Team New Zealand and 0.338s off the pole sitting Team Netherlands car of Jeroen Bleekemolen.
Team Ireland's strong start to the season came after a successful test at Snetterton on Thursday which saw Carroll complete 65 trouble free laps in the dramatic looking new A1GP car, but the Irish squad had to work long hours preparing the car for today's sessions. The car once again ran faultlessly today, underlining the reliability of the new car with its 600bhp Ferrari V8 engine.
"I am very happy with today's result as we can really look forward to a good race tomorrow and we know we are right on the pace," said Carroll. "On my final qualifying run I decided not to go for it straight away and build up to a quick lap on my second flying lap, which had worked already for us during the session, but this time I hit traffic and had to abort the lap. I decided to go for it again with a third lap and it was good, even if the rear tyres did start to feel like they were going off. The team has done a fantastic job with the new car and we'll see what tomorrow brings."
"Today's performance was good to see and of great credit not only to Adam Carroll but to the whole team who have worked extremely hard to build, test and prepare the new car in recent days," said Team Principal Mark Gallagher. "It is also significant that A1GP and its new technical partners have provided us with such a quick, exciting and yet reliable car. Our goal for tomorrow is obviously to build on today's qualifying performance with a top three finish in both the Sprint and Feature Race if that is possible. The Dutch crowd will be fantastic, as usual, so we are looking forward to it."
Joining Gallagher for today's opening practice and qualifying sessions were A1 Team Ireland's new co-owners Teddy Yip, John Hynes and David Kennedy, the trio enjoying a competitive start to their investment in Ireland's World Cup of Motorsport entry.
Malaysia - Qualified 4th
A1 Team Malaysia enjoyed a strong start to the A1GP World Cup of Motorsport 2008/09 posting the fourth quickest lap to line up in this position for tomorrow's season opener in Zandvoort, the Netherlands.
Fauzy began his A1GP campaign this morning taking to the Zandvoort circuit for the first time for the extended practice session of the new season of the Series. In the first part of the session the track was dry and the Malaysian team posted the fourth quickest lap although only 12 cars were on track, with five others still undergoing last minute preparations. A heavy shower burst shortly after the session began sent the teams back into the garage for wet tyres and a change of setup to meet these different weather conditions.
Unfortunately the team had a fuel pump failure which curtailed Fauzy's running to four laps in the early part of the session and in the second part of the session, in the wet, the team were struggling with grip. The engineering team made some changes to make the car softer and Fauzy was then able to improve the team's overall performance.
In the second practice session the team recommenced their planned programme of preparation for the two races, using the valuable track time to gain experience with the new car at this demanding, technical circuit. After the one hour of running time available, Fauzy and the Malaysian team were fifth quickest, having completed 19 laps over the course of the session.
Afternoon qualifying at the Zandvoort circuit was altered for this weekend, as a number of the cars had been unable to participate in morning practice. The one-hour session allowed all teams as much track time as they wanted, with no restriction on the number of laps each car could complete. The times were used to determine the grid for the Sprint race and the Sprint race results will determine the Feature race grid.
The Malaysian team opted to use three sets of new tyres over the course of the qualifying session. The hour long session gave the engineering team further opportunity to work with Fauzy to refine the set up in a quest to post a quick time. With the team pushing hard and Fauzy putting in a sterling effort, A1 Team Malaysia posted fourth quickest lap of the 14 cars that took part in this session.
Fauzy summed up his session saying, "It was a good start to the season for me as it was my best qualifying performance of my A1GP career. We were allowed to use the PowerBoost button in this qualifying, so I used it three times on my first run and that gave me the extra horsepower I needed to put in a good lap time. Having done that I only had one PowerBoost opportunity left, so I wasn't able to get a lap as quick as that one. For tomorrow, I'm hoping we can get a really good finish and then have a good start for the Feature race, but the weather is meant to be bad, so then anything can happen."
Jack Cunningham, Chief Executive, A1 Team Malaysia concluded of the day, "With a new car, some late nights preparing it in the last few days, and a particularly late finish last night, a new chief engineer and a couple of slight mistakes made by the team during the session it's a satisfactory outcome for us. We are also aware that we're not battling a full grid yet, so we have to keep our expectations realistic this weekend. We'll see what tomorrow brings, especially if the weather turns bad, as is expected."
Monaco - Qualified 5th
A1 Team Monaco was the first car to leave the pit garages when conditions were reasonably dry at the start of the first morning practice session. However, as inclement weather drew in, the field experienced limited running as hazardous wet conditions caused a number of cars to spin and leave the tarmac. Clivio kicked started the A1GP track activity once again later this morning when the team made its second outing for one final and extended, practice. It was solid session for the team, with Clivio maintaining consistent lap times and remaining in fifth position for most of the hour. At the end of the session, after Clivio had completed 21 laps with a fastest time of 1:26.856, Monaco was sixth fastest, with only three tenths of a second separating the team from third placed team Ireland.
Team Monaco mirrored its consistent performance in the afternoon during the new one-hour qualifying format (introduced for this weekend). The Monegasque squad maintained fifth place for most of the session, but after a number of Red Flag situations and continuous track improvement, the more experienced teams picked up the pace towards the middle of the session. Monaco dropped momentarily to ninth, but with only two minutes of the hour remaining Clivio set a fastest time of 1:25.118 and elevated the team back to its rightful place of fifth on the time sheet. Clivio will start the Sprint race on the third row of the grid for the team's inaugural A1GP series race tomorrow.
Clivio Piccione: "The track was quite tricky at the start of the first practice session and conditions were very windy, so I only got two or three laps in the dry before it started raining. We did a few runs in the wet and the car was improving with each lap, so it was good to try runs in both dry and wet, slippery conditions. Overall our lap times in the morning were good and I was happy with the car. We went into Qualifying initially on an old set of tyres to get a base line set-up. The track was even windier than in the morning, so the car was a bit snappy. We put on our first set of tyres, but on my out lap there was a red flag, so I had to come back into the pits. We went out again and put in a reasonable lap time. The car suffered from bit of understeer on our next outing, so we made a few changes and finally put on our last set of tyres at the end of the session and the car really improved on the front. Unfortunately I had a bit of traffic on my flying lap, which is a shame as the performance and grip were there, but overall I am happy with the result; to be in fifth place for the start of our first race in the championship is a good result."
Graham Taylor, Team Principal: "Team Monaco is testament to its staff's professionalism, work ethic and commitment; to have brought this project to fruition and have the encouraging performance that we have showed during our first Qualifying session here in Zandvoort, in very tricky track conditions. Clivio clearly showed his abilities and whilst a number of other cars incurred problems, we incurred none. We managed to complete our planned programmes and are very encouraged by our performance today."
South Africa - Qualified 7th
A1 Team South Africa will start tomorrow's Sprint race from the inside of the fourth row of the grid after setting the seventh fastest time in this afternoon's one-hour qualifying session.
It was not the result the 21-year-old South African driver Adrian Zaugg was hoping for after his outstanding performances on his last two visits to Zandvoort. On his debut appearance in 2006 he was on pole position for the Sprint race and went on to win, an achievement he repeated in 2007.
"With Adrian's amazing record here at Zandvoort, we came here in confident mood, but we were also well aware that we were in a new car that we had had little time to get to know," said Mike Carroll, general manager of A1 Team South Africa. "The unusually large variances in the lap times are an indication that the different teams are getting to learn the new A1GP car at different paces. We're not concerned - it's very early days and there's still a lot to be learnt on all fronts. It'll take two or three rounds before we see the true picture."
Zaugg echoed his team manager's observations: "We actually made good progress in a relatively short time today. Some teams have got to grips with the new car quicker than others and at this stage I don't believe we can read too much into today's results. The fact that the reigning champions, Switzerland – with the same driver they had last year (Neel Jani) – are 1,3 seconds off the pole position time and just one place ahead of us is quite revealing.
"One thing that is very clear – the new car is quick. Jeroen Bleekemolen's pole time in the Netherland's car is four seconds quicker than the lap record I set when I won last year's Sprint race," added Zaugg. "We're going to have a great season with this new car."
Lebanon - Qualified 10th
A1 Team Lebanon celebrated the team's best qualifying performance of its A1GP career in Zandvoort, Netherlands today. Daniel Morad, making his debut for the team in the new A1GP Powered by Ferrari car, posted tenth quickest lap to line up on the fifth row of the grid for tomorrow's season opening round of the A1GP World Cup of Motorsport Powered by Ferrari.
A1 Team Lebanon used the valuable practice time this morning for Morad to become comfortable in the car, and with his first visit to the Zandvoort circuit he also needed to learn the track and its characteristics. Mixed weather conditions presented the team with a damp track, although it soon began to dry as the A1GP cars notched up the laps. At the end of the first session the Lebanese team were ninth fastest of the 12 cars running.
In the second session the team continued to work on the preparations for this weekend's races. Although not focusing on improving their lap times, the team finished eighth quickest of the 13 cars out on track for this practice period. The afternoon qualifying at the Zandvoort circuit was altered for this weekend, as a number of the cars had been unable to participate in morning practice. The one-hour session allowed all teams as much track time as they wanted, with no restriction on the number of laps each car could complete. The times were used to determine the grid for the Sprint race. The Sprint race results will determine the Feature race grid.
A red flag after 14 minutes of track time interrupted the early part of the qualifying session, but after a few minutes of red flag stoppage to clear the track of a stranded Korean car, the session resumed. The Lebanon team continued with their preparations and as Morad gained confidence with the car, and worked with the engineers to improve its handling, his lap times tumbled. With 11 minutes of the session remaining the Australian car spun off the track causing a red flag. The final ten minutes became a shoot out for the Sprint race grid positions, with Morad finishing the session with tenth quickest lap.
Morad summed up his session saying, "I'm happy with this afternoon's qualifying, especially bringing Lebanon its best qualifying performance so far in A1GP. I'm still getting used to the car, so I think there is much more to come over the coming season, but with the limited track time I'm pleased. We ran early, gambling on possible rain to keep us high in the time sheets, but it didn't quite turn out that way. With a fifth row grid slot we should be able to move up the grid in the Sprint race, but I think we're all expecting rain, so this will bring another challenge."
Billy Karam, A1 Team Lebanon Ambassador, adds, "The team has made a great start to this season today. I think Daniel has lots of potential, and I'm very optimistic for the future. The changes that the team have made over the summer are already proving that Lebanon has the capability to challenge for World Cup of Motorsport points, and we look forward to the races tomorrow."
France - Qualified 11h
A1 Team France took part in qualifying for the first round of the 2008-09 A1GP Championship today on the Zandvoort circuit. The team achieved a real feat by enabling Loïc Duval to take to the track as they had never seen the new Ferrari-designed car before. It arrived this morning at 09h30 and the mechanics started work on it straight away. It missed the 2 free practice sessions but halfway through the day the engine roared into life for the first time, and 10 minutes after the start of qualifying Loïc Duval went out to everybody's applause. A1 Team France's season had officially started.
The Frenchman's first task was to carry out the crucial technical checks after which he was able to start going for a time. He ran into a few minor hydraulic and braking problems that hindered his progress. Although he only managed 6 laps he still set the eleventh-quickest time overall.
Taking into account the fact that the car had never turned a wheel before tod ay, A1 Team France is satisfied with its performance and would like to congratulate the mechanics on their exceptional work. Tomorrow's aim will be to unlock the car's secrets and rack up the kilometres, and if race incidents permit, score a few points.
Olivier Panis, sporting director: "We knew that our weekend would be difficult as our car was only arriving at the circuit this morning, and we had to finish putting it together in the garage. We took up the challenge. The A1 Team France car was the first of the ones delivered today to take to the track. A shudder of emotion ran through the whole team when the engine was started for the first time not long after midday. Bravo to all those who made it possible and now let's get stuck into the championship!"
Loïc Duval, driver: "It was very tricky starting with a new car in qualifying, but I had absolute confidence in the mechanics' work. I'd never driven a single-seater with carbon brakes b efore, and I wasn't used to left-foot braking, but I found my marks very quickly. Without a small mistake in the last corner I think we'd have been in the top five, which is very promising for the rest of the season. Tomorrow's aim will be to finish both races as it's important to rack up the kilometres and to really get to know the car. If we can score some points, it'll be a nice bonus!"
Australia - Qualified 12th
Zandvoort played host to a fanatical Dutch crowd today as the A1GP drivers started Qualifying for a grid position in tomorrow's 11 am Sprint Race that will determine the grid for the following Feature Race later in the afternoon at 3pm.
Weather forecast tomorrow is for heavy rain with gale force 9 winds throughout the day.
Early into qualifying John Martin came back into the pits experiencing some imbalance to the rear of the car. After some setup changes, Martin was released back onto the track pushing hard into Scheivlak, the fastest corner of the circuit, unfortunately missed the apex of the next corner and ran off the track coming to a standstill.
With less than three minutes of the session remaining, the pit crew prepared Martin for one more lap to improve his grid position to 12th place.
Alan Jones A1 Team Australia Seatholder: "It is difficult to know how your car will perform after some earlier damage was repaired from the last practice session. I had hoped for a better track position, and believe the car setup will see some change into a new direction that we believe will help John tomorrow. The forecast for tomorrow is heavy rain and wind that will make for some interesting racing. I would also like to personally welcome the Andretti Green Racing Team to A1GP"
John Martin: "I was pushing hard into Scheivlak the fastest corner on the track when the rear end slid out on me. I had two quick corners in front of me so to avoid the grass I ran across the track run off and bumped the front nose. The car stopped and I had to be towed back to pit lane. My crew worked awesome to get me out to grab 12th in the last three minutes of the qualifying"
Korea - Qualified 15th
A1 Team Korea took part in its first official practice and qualifying sessions in the A1GP World Cup of Motorsport today, ahead of tomorrow's A1GP Zandvoort, Netherlands. Korea joins nations such as China, Italy, Malaysia and Monaco in the global racing series, which visits 10 exciting venues around the world. Taking part in today's track action, 25 year-old Jin-Woo Hwang became the first Korean to represent his nation in motorsport.
Hwang, who has previous experience racing in Japanese GTs, made the most of the two hours practice time on Saturday morning, gaining experience of the new A1GP Powered by Ferrari car in both wet and dry conditions. With only a limited amount of laps run in testing, the new A1GP car was an unknown entity to the team and driver, but unlike other drivers, Hwang brought the car home undamaged ahead of qualifying.
In place of the four separate qualifying segments that usual decide the grid for the Sprint and Feature races, qualifying at Zandvoort consisted of just a one hour session, with no restriction on the number of laps each car competed – allowing the teams to maximise running in the new cars. The times from the one hour session will set the grid for the Sprint race. Positions for the Feature race will now be set by finishing positions of the Sprint race.
Conditions were dry and blustery for the one hour qualifying session, with 15 cars taking to the track. Exploring the limits of the Korean car, Hwang spun early on, with the car stranded out in the middle of the track. With no break in qualifying the car could not be recovered back to the pits, meaning the team were only able to complete three laps in total. With such a small window to set a quick time, A1 Team Korea qualified 15th for tomorrow's Sprint race.
Reflecting on the team's first day of official track action, A1 Team Korea seat holder Jung- Yong Joshua Kim said, "Today has been important day in Korean motorsport. The car looked fantastic out on track and considering his experience in this type of car and inexperience on the track, Jin did a good job. This weekend is really about learning rather than results, but I'm still very excited ahead of the team's first race tomorrow."
A1 Team Korea driver Jin-Woo Hwang added, "It was a difficult day today, but I still enjoyed it. The track here is very nice, but very challenging as well. We weren't able to complete many laps so I had little time to learn the circuit. The car is very good though, so I am looking forward to racing tomorrow."