The A1GP Powered by Ferrari cars took to the Chengdu International Circuit in China for the first time today. Nicolas Prost started the day as the quickest rookie and reigning champion Switzerland set the pace this afternoon with Neel Jani's time of 1.16.349.
Thirty minutes into the official practice session this afternoon, the first red flag came out as Malaysia was stranded out on track after a spin. France had initially set the pace, but after the session was re-started Switzerland went quicker and remained at the top despite two more red flags caused by China's Ho-Pin Tung. After making a flying start to the day, India carried the momentum into the afternoon, finishing third just 0.125 behind Switzerland with South Africa's Adrian Zaugg posting a quick time towards the end of his run to move up to fourth.
Former F1 driver, Robert Doornbos made his A1 Team Netherlands debut, finishing fifth while Marco Andretti made a promising start on his debut for the USA in eighth, just 0.834 adrift of Jani. A1 Team Mexico's David Garza also got his first taste of the A1GP Powered by Ferrari car, but as his own car was still not ready he did this in A1 Team Switzerland's machine. The Mexican team has also been allocated additional running on Saturday.
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| China 2008 news | |
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| 09 Nov. '08 | Britain happy with two podiums |
| 09 Nov. '08 | Portugal takes first A1GP win |
| 09 Nov. '08 | Ireland takes sprint win |
| More China 2008 news, Photos | |
| Neel Jani news | |
| 14 Sep. '09 | Jani to test simulator for Force India |
| 14 Aug. '09 | Jani injured in cycling accident |
| 02 May '09 | Switzerland and Portugal not giving up |
| More Neel Jani news, Photos | |
| A1 Team Switzerland news | |
| 13 Apr. '09 | Record tenth win for Jani |
| 10 Apr. '09 | Brief practice for Switzerland at the Algarve |
| 22 Feb. '09 | Jani takes championship lead with win |
| More A1 Team Switzerland news, Photos | |
