A1GP news

Australia faces tough challenge after Friday woe

A1 Team Australia have a tough nights work ahead after a challenging start to round ten of the A1GP World Cup of Motorsport in Shanghai. A tenth place finish in the rookie session was on the pace with driver Ian Dyk positive about his first look at the Shanghai International Circuit.

Seatholder Alan Jones was hopeful, "Like everybody else, there is probably a good half the field visiting here for the first time and Ian's one of them. So it's just a matter of fine tuning the car to suit the circuit and getting Ian to familiarise himself with it. So far so good."

But things went a little haywire in practice session two with Ian relegated to the back of the field. The rookie session was the starting point for a complete change of set-up after Mexico's gruelling and bumpy circuit. It's a fine line to find the balanced set-up for the long straights that characterise the Shanghai International Circuit and then find some twisting action for the combination of slow and high-speed corners.

Seatholder Alan Jones admitted the team didn't find the mix needed.

"I think that we didn't actually go as quick on new tyres as we did on old tyres that would suggest there is something wrong. We have basically gone the wrong way with our set up. We suspect we have either got a diff problem or we have a rogue set of tyres. So in the morning we are going to try another set just to eliminate that and then just check our diff. We just think there is something basically wrong with the car that we are going through now. We just have to go through a process of elimination and hopefully we will get it all sorted out in the morning."

Driver Ian Dyk was also disappointed with finishing in 20th position, "It was a very difficult day. Unfortunately we tried lots of different things and we certainly haven't found what we need to and it's very difficult. It's not so much to do drastically with the circuit or anything like that. We are still looking for something."

more news

• 29 Aug.
  • Monaco joins A1GP
• 26 Aug.
  • A1GP confirms Chengdu round
• 22 Aug.
  • A1GP postpones opening round
• 11 Aug.
  • Changes to sporting regulations to add to excitement
• 05 Aug.
  • Karthikeyan eyes top six with Team India
• 04 Aug.
  • New A1GP car completes wind tunnel testing
• 23 Jul.
  • A1GP Team Italy presents new car
• 22 Jul.
  • Mugello looking forward to season opener
• 21 Jul.
  • South Africa race to be in Gauteng
  • Michein become ofice tyre supplier to A1GP
• 03 Jul.
  • Team Portugal signs Albuquerque
• 27 Jun.
  • Brazilian President backs plans for A1GP in South America
• 25 Jun.
  • Cheng: A1 Team China should find a partner
• 23 Jun.
  • HD quality for A1GP fans
• 13 Jun.
  • Ferrari's A1GP car continues testing
• 09 Jun.
  • A1GP reveals new calendar
  • Two big tests planned for A1GP teams
• 29 May
  • Ammermuller looks back at interesting season
• 27 May
  • First shakedown for Ferrari powered A1GP chassis
• 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

Homepage