A1GP news

Ireland blames Switzerland for crash

Team Ireland blamed Switzerland's Sebastien Buemi for putting Richard Lyons out of a strong 7th place in the A1GP of Australia at Eastern Creek on Sunday. Lyons, starting 10th on the grid, moved up to 9th at the start and a superb pit stop by the Irish crew elevated him further to hold 7th with the USA, France and Switzerland behind. 

In the Irish team's release they wrote, "Buemi tried a reckless out-braking manoeuvre on the Irish car, mainly managing to hit its rear and damage the suspension." The Team Ireland car returned to the pit lane where the mechanics replaced the top rear wishbone and sent Lyons back out onto the track to try for fastest lap, but the damage to the car had badly affected the car's handling and he retired after three laps. 

"It's a bit difficult to get a result when someone drives into the back of your car and pushes you off the track," said Lyons. "I am not sure what tactic that is, but maybe the guy has to take his brain out to get his helmet to fit. We'd had a good race up until then, again the pit stop was great and we were making up places. Malaysia (Alex Yoong) in front of me was struggling so I think I could have taken him, but Switzerland put an end to that." 

Team principal Mark Gallagher added, "Gary, Richard, John O'Hara and the whole team have worked really hard to move things forward over the last two race weekends and today a top 6 finish was on the cards. The race incident isn't worth agonising over - I doubt Buemi will build a career on that. The main thing is to stay positive and keep working hard. We don't need luck, just to keep working hard with positive people and those in Irish motor sport who want to see a national team competing to win in A1GP. We look forward to Durban."

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