A1GP news

Lapierre: We can win the A1GP championship

A1 Team France will return to championship-winning form this season, according to Nicolas Lapierre. Lapierre was part of the dominant 2005/06 championship-wining squad, scoring six victories. He was also part of the team last season when France's form dipped slightly. Although it finished fourth in the overall standings, it failed to record any wins.

However, 23-year-old Lapierre reckons the technical alliance with A1 Team South Africa will bear fruit this season, and France will be back up at the sharp end of the field when the season kicks off at Zandvoort on 30 September. 'It was a bit of a surprise not to win a race last season, it really was,' admitted Lapierre. 'We were in a position to and we had the pace to, but at the end of the day we were not strong enough to get the title. The consistency was not there.

'Germany and New Zealand were fast enough almost everywhere and we were weren't. But we have learnt from last season and absolutely want to fight at the front.'

Team officials have not taken a decision on drivers for 2007/08, choosing to wait until after next week's final pre-season test at Silverstone before making their mind up.

However, Lapierre's past record puts him in a strong position to become one of only a handful of drivers who will have raced for their nations in all three season in A1GP so far. 'I don't know yet if I will be racing yet to be honest, but I would be very happy to,' Lapierre added. 'This is the second year we are working with South Africa so the relationship is better and we are in a stronger position. 'I am more ready than last year. I was just coming back after a back injury and I was not 100 per cent fit and now I am more like I was in the first year.

'We had some good information from the first year and we have everything to do it again - but we know how to do it. It is not like we have never won any races and it is easier to do it again if you have. 'We will be in a position to lead the championship again.'

more news

• 06 Oct.
  • Duval claims victory at Zandvoort!
• 05 Oct.
  • Photos: Sunday in Zandvoort
• 04 Oct.
  • Netherlands take pole at Zandvoort
  • Photos: Saturday in Zandvoort
  • Just one qualifying session at Zandvoort
  • Kimball joins A1 Team USA
• 02 Oct.
  • A1 Team India to skip Zandvoort
• 30 Sep.
  • Only best nine results count in A1GP
• 29 Sep.
  • Bamber to race for A1 Team New Zealand
• 25 Sep.
  • Fauzy to race at Zandvoort
• 24 Sep.
  • Doornbos happy with A1 debut
• 23 Sep.
  • Gutierrez joins A1 Team Mexico
• 19 Sep.
  • Morad to join A1 Team Lebanon
  • Doornbos joins A1 Team Netherlands
• 17 Sep.
  • Karthikeyan returns for India
• 11 Sep.
  • Photos: Thursday at Donington Park
  • John Martin confirmed at Team Australia
  • Khan continues racing at Team Pakistan
• 09 Sep.
  • Team Malaysia fastest at first test
  • Photos: Tuesday at Donington Park
  • A1GP Returns to Brands Hatch
• 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

Homepage