A1GP news

Summerton eyes Brands win

Jonathan Summerton believes everything is in place for A1 TEAM USA to contend for a victory this weekend in the A1GP season finale at Brands Hatch racing circuit.

Summerton will be driving in his fourth straight A1GP Sprint and Feature races this weekend at the famous course located just outside London. With each event, the 19-year-old from Kissimmee, Fla., has gained experience and confidence.

"I'm getting very comfortable in the car now and we're working well as a team," Summerton said. "We showed in the last race (Shanghai) we've got qualifying down, starting from third for the sprint race, and showed we've got the speed to compete with the top three teams. I feel I can get the most out of the car.

"Hopefully, I can put it on the pole and win the two races for A1 TEAM USA."

Summerton has scored points in three of his six races. He was second in the Feature and fifth in the Sprint at Mexico City and fifth in the Sprint at Shanghai. Summerton has also been fast in the two features and one sprint that he didn't finish. He was running third in the feature at Shanghai when he slid off track and put one wheel into the grass and gravel. It spun the red-white-and-blue car around into a gravel trap and left Summerton stranded.

"Those are the kind of mistakes I need to learn from and not repeat," Summerton said.

A1 TEAM USA owner Rick Weidinger of Washington, D.C., is optimistic a little experience can go a long way with Summerton.

"Jonathan and our team have shown they've got the speed to race at the front of the grid in A1Grand Prix," Weidinger said. "It's a very competitive series and it's difficult to do that consistently. Jonathan is learning with every lap and I believe we're ready for our strongest run of the season at Brands Hatch."

A1 TEAM USA is currently in ninth place with 37 points in the second season of A1 Grand Prix. With a maximum of 17 points available at Brands Hatch, A1 TEAM USA could jump up as high as fifth in the final standings.

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