A1GP news
Disappointing race weekend for Yoong
16 December 2007 / Results / PhotosAn eighth place start for A1 Team Malaysia in the Feature race at the A1GP
World Cup of Motorsport, Zhuhai China offered the team the promise of a
strong points finish, but instead it was intense disappointment for the team
after two retirements in the races today. Yoong and the Malaysian team were
the innocent victims of other drivers' incidents in both the Sprint and Feature
races.
|
|
They suffered their first misfortune in the Sprint race, with the race less than
a lap underway. At the rolling start Yoong diced for position as the pack
rushed down to the first corner and was quickly gaining places, but his
improvement was short-lived. A clash of cars ahead blocked the racetrack and
although the experienced Malaysian driver took avoiding action he picked up
a rear tyre puncture as one of his rivals clipped the back of his car. Yoong
limped back to the pits, but the Malaysian crew found the car had sustained
damage which needed immediate repair which precluded him from returning
to the race.
"I was just an innocent victim," said Yoong of the incident. "It's always the
risk that you have when you start further back and today we were unlucky
enough to be caught out by starting on the ninth row. There's quite a lot of
damage to the car and the guys are going to have their work cut out getting
the Malaysian car repaired in time for the Feature race grid."
The crew worked fast and diligently in the break between the two races and
the striking yellow car of Malaysia was ready for the start of the Feature race
with minutes to spare.
The standing start grid was formed and when the red lights went out the cars
powered off the line and down to the first corner. Three cars collided as they
went through the first few corners, with all drivers battling hard. Sadly it was
another rough day for the Malaysian team, with a hard side swipe from the
New Zealand car pushing Yoong off track, into a fast slide across the track
and spinning into the barriers, causing extensive damage to the Malaysian
car and putting them out of the race.
Yoong said after the race, "I can't believe how much bad luck we've had this
weekend. It's just been one thing after another. I can only hope it's all come
at once and that there won't be any more. I am particularly upset with Jonny
Reid. Having worked so hard to be ready for the Feature race, I feel we were
taken off the circuit unnecessarily by the NZL driver and this is not the first
time. It seems that he was driving under such intense pressure that he made
an unacceptable move, with disastrous consequences for us. It's a difficult
times like this that you have to be strong and we are at A1 Team Malaysia.
Watch out Taupo, we'll be back out with renewed vigour to get those points
we deserve."
more news
- 05 Nov.
- 17 Oct.
- 13 Oct.
- 25 Sep.
- 21 Sep.
- 17 Sep.
- 14 Sep.
- 07 Sep.
- 14 Aug.
- 12 Aug.
- 10 Aug.
- 05 Aug.
- 28 Jul.
- 23 Jul.
- 22 Jul.
- 26 Jun.
- 11 Jun.
- 18 May
- 13 May
- 07 May
- 03 May
- 02 May
- 01 May
- 29 Apr.
- 23 Apr.
Photo gallery
 |
 |
 |
 |
| more pictures | |||
|---|---|---|---|