A1GP news

Canada blitzes rookie session

A1 Team Canada's Robert Wickens set the early pace as the A1GP cars hit the track for the rookie session in Taupo, New Zealand. Wickens was quickest after both of this morning's 25-minute segments, which took place under glorious sunshine in scorching temperatures.

His time in the second segment was good enough to top the time sheets overall, with a lap of 1m 17.070s.

Second quickest in both sessions, was Australia's new lead driver John Martin. The 23-year-old has been promoted to full race driver for the rest of the season, and will at last be able to carry his hard work on car set-up through to free practice himself.

Third overall was Christian Vietoris, the only one of the drivers to have previous knowledge of the Taupo track. Vietoris, returning to the German squad for this meeting, competed in the corresponding rookie session last season.

Home nation New Zealand was fourth quickest on a morning when the majority of the field suffered minor spins and off-track moments as drivers got to grips with the slick, dusty surface.

Times are just over two seconds slower than they were at the circuit last year, largely down to the Turn 12 being a much tighter corner, designed to increase overtaking opportunities.

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