A1GP news

A1 Team India to skip Zandvoort

A1 Team India has confirmed it will be unable to join the other teams at Zandvoort this weekend for the opening race of the season. The team's car was beyond control of the team, not ready to race this weekend.

"As you are aware, for the new season of the A1GP World Cup of Motorsport, A1 Team India planned to participate in the opening event at Zandvoort on October 4-5, 2008. Due to circumstances beyond the control of A1 Team India, there has been an unfortunate delay in the 'build programme' of the new A1GP cars, and the Team India car has been affected. As a result, the team will not be able to take part in the Zandvoort race," CEO Andaleeb Sehgal said in a statement.

Driver Narain Karthikeyan, who was in the UK, is on his way back home. The series set itself a tight schedule with less than 11 months to design, build and test the new car and make sure all the teams received identical machinery. Any delay in the schedule was always going to impact on the ability to deliver to all the teams.

The first round of the 2008-09 at Mugello was moved following a delay in the 'build schedule' of the new chassis.

After dashing rumours that the season opener in the Netherlands could be non-points race, as at least five teams aren't expected to receive their cars in time to compete in the event, the organisers have announced a revised points system, reducing the advantage for teams that are participating. Now, the championship will count each team's best nine scores from 10 rounds. Every nation will be able to drop both the sprint and feature race scores from their worst event.

"With the recent change of the points scoring system that allows a team to drop its worst event score, India's chances of challenging for the World Cup of Motorsport title will not be adversely affected by missing the Zandvoort event. The situation we find ourselves in is unfortunate, but the morale of the team is high and we are focused on competing at the next race at Chengdu, China and through the rest of the season," Sehgal added.

more news

• 05 Nov.
  • Possible delay for Chinese and Malaysian rounds
• 17 Oct.
  • Season-opening Surfers race called off
• 13 Oct.
  • Teixeira pleased to return to China
• 25 Sep.
  • New financial package in place
  • Martin targets home win in Surfers Paradise
• 21 Sep.
  • Season 5 calendar unveiled
• 17 Sep.
  • Duran back with Interwetten
• 14 Sep.
  • Jani to test simulator for Force India
• 07 Sep.
  • Cosworth appoints Mark Gallagher
  • Pre-season testing to take place in Australia
• 14 Aug.
  • Jani injured in cycling accident
• 12 Aug.
  • Karthikeyan aiming for F1 seat in 2010
• 10 Aug.
  • Indonesia's Hermanto joins Litespeed F3
• 05 Aug.
  • Assen to enjoy demo run on Sunday
• 28 Jul.
  • Gold Coast revs up for A1 arrival
• 23 Jul.
  • Quinn always a possibility for Ireland
• 22 Jul.
  • Teixeira sends condolences to Surtees family
• 26 Jun.
  • FIA clears Season 5 calendar
• 11 Jun.
  • Morad aims for top three next season
• 18 May
  • A1GP moves from Zandvoort to Assen
• 13 May
  • GPUpdate A1GP Season Highlights 2008-2009
• 07 May
  • Prost reflects on France's season
• 03 May
  • Clarke enjoyed home support at Brands Hatch
  • Carroll: a perfect weekend
  • Carroll and Team Ireland win A1GP championship!
  • Photos: Sunday at Brands Hatch
  • Ireland closes in on title after winning sprint race
  • Lim ready for debut race at Brands Hatch
• 02 May
  • Carroll: "It's Ireland's title to lose"
  • Switzerland and Portugal not giving up
  • Photos: Saturday at Brands Hatch
  • Carroll secures both pole positions at Brands Hatch
  • Bleekemolen fastest in Saturday practice, but spins
• 01 May
  • Netherlands on top of second Friday session
  • Photos: Friday at Brands Hatch
  • France sets A1 Brands Hatch record
  • GPUpdate TV: Jani marks opening of new tunnel
• 29 Apr.
  • Swine flu forces cancellation of Mexican rounds
• 23 Apr.
  • Duran aims to maintain Mexico form
  • Lola could open doors to F1 for Carroll

Homepage