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A1GP race-winner Oliver Jarvis will be back in action in the
British car next weekend when the A1GP World Cup of Motorsport makes its first
ever visit to Zhuhai in China on 14-16 December 2007.
Two excellent qualifying spots proved the teams
front running pace, but an unfortunate run of bad luck prevented these from
being reflected in the results.
In an eventful Feature Race, Jarvis was first run into by
an over-ambitious Micheal Ammermuller of A1 team Germany, then lost more time
in the second pit stop with a sticking wheel nut, a drive through penalty
followed for speeding in the pit lane, and to cap it all off, A1 Team GBR was
given a two-second penalty after the race for a pit lane infringement. The
troublesome weekend meant that the British entry did not finish on the podium
at an A1GP round for the first time since Sydney, Australia last February.
However the team is confident that they will come back in force at Zhuhai to
prove that they are still championship contenders, and having won the
season-opener at Zandvoort, Netherlands, 23 year old Jarvis is eager to get
back to winning ways as soon as possible.
The 14-corner, 4.3km Zhuhai International Circuit will be a
new test for all the national teams as the track is a new addition to the A1GP calendar
this season. Also new to the series is A1 Team Great Britain’s rookie driver
for China, Danny Watts.
Although joining the British squad for the first time, Danny
brings with him a wealth of race experience having been crowned Formula Renault
UK Champion in 2002, and winning races in both British Formula 3 and the
Porsche Carrera Cup Watts is not a completely new face to A1GP having attended
many rounds in his role as A1 Team Indonesia driver coach. In China he will put
his coaching duties to one side as he steps into the British car in the hope of
getting the team off to a flying start in the rookie session on Friday morning.
Oliver Jarvis: “I’m really happy to be back in the British
car again after a difficult weekend in Malaysia. We didn’t get the results we
deserved at Sepang, but we were definitely quick, so we’re going to Zhuhai
feeling confident. I’m looking forward to driving a new track, which will be
new to the majority of drivers, so it will be extremely important to make the
most of the practise sessions on Friday and Saturday, and will be interesting
to see which team learns the track the quickest.”
Danny Watts: “It’s a privilege to be asked to drive for A1
Team GBR in Zhuhai. I will be contributing one hundred percent to the team both
in and out of the car throughout the weekend in order for us to have the best opportunity
to achieve two strong results, and hopefully a couple of wins to boost us up
the championship table. I obviously want to be quickest in the rookie session,
but I also intend to make sure the car is prepared with the best set-up
possible in order for Olly to get in and win.”
Katie Clements, Team Principal: “We’re delighted to welcome
Danny [Watts] to the British squad – he is a committed driver and team-player,
so his contribution in the rookie session and throughout the weekend will be invaluable,
particularly given that Zhuhai will be a new circuit for many teams. After our disappointing
result in Malaysia tow weeks ago, which didn’t do justice to Olly’s pace and
ability throughout the weekend, we’re looking forward to getting back on the
podium in Zhuhai where we belong”
Saturday’s qualifying starts at 1415 local time (0615 GMT)
with Sunday’s 20 minute Sprint race starting at 1100 local time (0300 GMT) and
the 70 minute Feature race starting at 1500 local time (0700 GMT).
Sky sports 1 will broadcast all the live action from China
from 0600 on Saturday 15 December and Sunday 16 December. AA1 Team Great
Britain is partnered by AquaSP, Playseats and Visit Britain.
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