A1GP news

Malaysia flying high on Friday

The A1GP World Cup of Motorsport, Mexico, opened today with A1 Team Malaysia immediately showing its performance potential with a fourth fastest lap from Alex Yoong in the afternoon practice session. Earlier, Aaron Lim, the new rookie driver for the team, had been out in the Malaysian car on the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez circuit. Team Malaysia rebounded from a tough South African weekend to be right on the pace at this technically demanding track. The complex circuit which features a famed 'Peraltada' corner that resembles the Parabolica of the historic Monza track, lies 5,200 feet above sea level, to add to the challenge of this venue. 

The afternoon session with the field of regular drivers in the A1GP series was a fast and furious hour of running, with the lap times tumbling as the teams improved their car setup and improved their performances. The Malaysian team was one of the top ten teams for most of the session, improving to be fourth quickest after 21 laps of the track for Yoong. 

He said after the session, "It was really good today; our best Friday of the season so far. We came here knowing that we needed to be more competitive, and to get on the pace much quicker. We've changed a few things that we thought where the problem in the last couple of races and this has improved things for us. It's a good start and we've clearly made progress. The track is great, really fast, really challenging; it's good fun. The altitude isn't affecting me, but it does affect the performance of the car. You can feel the difference in the car; it's much slower, with the altitude sapping the engine, and it feels slow and sluggish, particularly on the front straight."

Vote or add to:

more news

• 13 May
  • A1GP reveals first drawing 2008/2009 chassis
• 06 May
  • Jani: Greatest moment in my career
• 04 May
  • Germany left deflated at Brands Hatch
  • Britain snatches championship bronze at home
  • France loses third to Britain in finale
  • Dutch hope for more than seventh next year
  • India takes dramatic victory in feature race
  • Photos: Sunday at Brands Hatch
  • Britain takes home sprint victory
  • Switzerland clinches 2008 title
• 03 May
  • Ireland confident starting from second row
  • Disappointment for Dutch
  • Germany hoped for more from qualifying
  • Kerr fancies chances after taking pole
  • Britain and India clinch poles
  • Photos: Saturday at Brands Hatch
  • China sets surprise practice pace
  • Photos: Friday at Brands Hatch
• 02 May
  • Team GBR lifted by practice pace
  • Netherlands happy with first day
  • France looking for improvement
  • Britain on top at home
  • Mallya hits back at A1 GP boss
• 24 Apr.
  • Martinez to race at Brands Hatch
• 20 Apr.
  • A1GP to hit streets of London next weekend
• 14 Apr.
  • A1 Team Korea to join World Cup of Motorsport next season
• 13 Apr.
  • Switzerland moves in on title, despite gearbox problem
  • Germany fights back for six points
  • Britain closes to within 12 points of France
  • France left aiming for runner-up spot
  • Bad weekend in China for Dutch
  • USA takes maiden victory in feature race
  • Swiss close in on title with sprint race win
  • Photos: Sunday in Shanghai
• 12 Apr.
  • Switzerland celebrates double pole
  • Germany expected better qualifying result
  • Tough day for France
  • Britain hoped for more in qualifying
  • Switzerland takes both poles
  • Photos: Saturday in Shanghai

Homepage