2.26.2009

THE A1GP @ KYALAMI // SWITZERLAND AND NEEL JANI TAKE LEAD

The series arrived at the famous and challenging Kyalami circuit in South Africa with Team Ireland atop the standings. But by the end of Sunday, the Irish were left distraught after Team Ireland driver Adam Carroll was unceremoniously punted out of the feature race on lap 1 by Fairuz Fauzy in the Malaysian car.
 
The South African round saw the return of "Power Boost Qualifying" which once again mixed up the starting grids for both races.
 
The Sprint race was totally dominated by Team Netherlands with Jeroen Bleekemolen taking a superb lights to flag victory. It was the 1st win for the Dutch in the last 45 races.

Controversy reigned at the start of the Feature as Ireland and Malaysia tangled, with Adam Carroll retiring in the gravel. Jani took another win for Team Switzerland with Brazilian Felipe Guimaraes in 2nd place, just a second up the road from Team Monaco's Clivio Piccione. Guimaraes' 2nd place finish sets a new record for the series, as he becomes the youngest driver ever to record a podium spot at just 17yrs and 11 months.

 South Africa was a weekend to forget for Team USA and Marco Andretti after finishing a lowly 17th in the sprint and 8th in the feature. The team really just used the Sprint Race as an extra test session as they had gone the wrong way on set-up for Saturday. It did however prove to be of some value, as Andretti came home inside the top ten in the longer feature Race.

 The Series now moves on to the "Brand New" Algarve International Autodrome in Portugal on April 10th-12th for the penultimate rounds of 2008/2009.

Editorial: Neil Tozer - Photo: A1GP.com

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