A1GP news

Netherlands throws away possible podium

Both races of the A1GP in Taupo were packed with spectacle, spins, bad luck, penalties and drama. Unfortunately A1 Team Netherlands got caught out as well, a spin and a costly mistake during the second pitstop cost the team a very real shot at the podium, but the team does leave New Zealand with a fifth place finish in the Sprint race and a ninth in the Feature race.

Jan Lammers was very dissapointed about the missed podium opportunity; "In all the mayhem and our hunger to get the car out again as soon as possible the lollypop went up a bit too early. Jeroen immediately lifted the clutch, causing the wheels to spin and they had to remove the wheelguns. It was unsure wether or not they already had fastened the wheels. You lose a massive amount of time doing this and with that you throw out your chance of a podium finish. This may never happen, a mistake like this for us is unforgivable. A huge bummer! As far as the pace is concerned we were again competitive in the Feature race. Again Jeroen drove superbly with a perfect start. Unfortunately he spun across some oil on the track. That is just bad luck. At that moment he was at the absolute limit and then things like this happen within a blink of an eye. There are some teams still under investigation, so we could climb some more places, but in all honesty I do not expect this to happen."

Of course Jeroen Bleekemolen was very dissapointed as well about the outcome of the Feature race. "In the Feature race we just were not quick enough and fifth is where we belonged. Then we changed some things on the car and already as I drove to the grid the car felt much better. This made it possible for me to move forward and we were really on our way to a podium finish, also when you look at our pace. Unfortunately I came across some oil, went straight ahead and lost two places. And then it goes all wrong at the second pitstop as well and we lose massive amounts of time and at least six places. That is such a shame. As often this season we are on the pace in the Feature race and then something happens. The past year we have something going wrong at almost every race where we were also on the pace."

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