A1GP news

Strong first day for Germany

A1 Team Germany began the seventh A1GP World Cup of Motorsport race weekend in South Africa by topping the time sheets. Nominated driver Michael Ammermüller recorded the fastest lap in downtown Durban during the morning session and claimed second position at the end of the practice day around the only street circuit on the calendar.

The race weekend started with fastest lap for A1 Team Germany in the 'Rookie' session, which is exclusively reserved for newcomers to the series. Michael Ammermüller from Pocking, who had never seen the temporary race track prior to the morning session, recorded a 1m19.390s lap and with it a 1.3 second advantage over his closest rival the Swiss driver Marcel Fässler.

"The circuit is very tight and demanding, and there are virtually no run-off areas. The track has a lot of grip," described the 22-year old professional racing driver of his first impressions of the 3.28 kilometre street circuit. The Bavarian completed 29 laps in his first test session. Numerous accidents, which also caused the individual practices sessions to be interrupted, demonstrated in the Rookie practice just how challenging the circuit is.

In the afternoon Michael Ammermüller spooled off 17 laps. Repeated accidents again caused the practice session to be aborted. "The technicians from David Sears Motorsport worked on the mechanical set-up," summarised Ammermüller. "The direction in which we worked before lunch was very good. We reduced a tendency to oversteer and improved the traction. We tried something different in the afternoon, but then went back to the set-up that we'd used this morning."

All the teams are faced with a difficult tactical decision during Saturday's four-part qualifying session to determine the starting grid for both the sprint and feature races on Sunday. "Normally you wait until the very end of the session to make the single lap you are allowed because the track surface is at its cleanest which allows the fastest laps times," explains Ammermüller. "However, today we saw that accidents quickly lead to a red flag or even to the session being finished early. Choosing exactly the right time for a fast lap on Saturday will be decisive."

more news

• 13 May
  • A1GP reveals first drawing 2008/2009 chassis
• 06 May
  • Jani: Greatest moment in my career
• 04 May
  • Germany left deflated at Brands Hatch
  • Britain snatches championship bronze at home
  • France loses third to Britain in finale
  • Dutch hope for more than seventh next year
  • India takes dramatic victory in feature race
  • Photos: Sunday at Brands Hatch
  • Britain takes home sprint victory
  • Switzerland clinches 2008 title
• 03 May
  • Ireland confident starting from second row
  • Disappointment for Dutch
  • Germany hoped for more from qualifying
  • Kerr fancies chances after taking pole
  • Britain and India clinch poles
  • Photos: Saturday at Brands Hatch
  • China sets surprise practice pace
  • Photos: Friday at Brands Hatch
• 02 May
  • Team GBR lifted by practice pace
  • Netherlands happy with first day
  • France looking for improvement
  • Britain on top at home
  • Mallya hits back at A1 GP boss
• 24 Apr.
  • Martinez to race at Brands Hatch
• 20 Apr.
  • A1GP to hit streets of London next weekend
• 14 Apr.
  • A1 Team Korea to join World Cup of Motorsport next season
• 13 Apr.
  • Switzerland moves in on title, despite gearbox problem
  • Germany fights back for six points
  • Britain closes to within 12 points of France
  • France left aiming for runner-up spot
  • Bad weekend in China for Dutch
  • USA takes maiden victory in feature race
  • Swiss close in on title with sprint race win
  • Photos: Sunday in Shanghai
• 12 Apr.
  • Switzerland celebrates double pole
  • Germany expected better qualifying result
  • Tough day for France
  • Britain hoped for more in qualifying
  • Switzerland takes both poles
  • Photos: Saturday in Shanghai

Homepage