|
The A1 Team France
left Zhuhai in a disappointed frame of mind, having scored only 7 points during
the weekend. However, it is still in second place in the overall
classification, 19 points behind Switzerland, and one in front of New Zealand.
Loic Duval started the Sprint race from seventh on the grid
and made an excellent getaway before being boxed in the first corner, losing a
place. As the track was very dusty and slippery off the line throughout the
weekend, it was impossible to try and pass without taking huge risks, so he saw
the flag in eighth position.
The team had high hopes for the Feature Race. Unfortunately,
the first refuelling stop compromised its chances of a podium finish. Loic was
waved away from his pit a bit too early after a tyre change, and he suddenly
found the New Zealand
car on his left in the pit lane. He then ran over one of the hoses held by a
mechanic from the United
States team, which resulted in a fall for
the latter, luckily without consequences. Loic was given a drive-through
penalty because of this incident and despite losing a lot of time, he managed
to fight his way back up to seventh place.
The aim is now to reduce the gap between A1 Team France and Switzerland in
the next round of the championship on the Taupo circuit in New Zealand on
18th January.
Olivier Panis,
sporting director: “On paper, the
Zhuhai circuit seemed to offer good overtaking opportunities. Unfortunately, it
remained very dirty throughout the weekend and it was virtually impossible to
attempt anything. So we really could do nothing in the Sprint Race as we
started from too far back on the grid. In the Feature event, we looked on
course for a podium finish until we were penalised. That kind of thing happens
and we managed to limit the damage by finishing seventh. What’s reassuring is
that we’re still as quick as ever. Our weekend’s performance is due to racing
incidents which did not play in our favour.”
Loic Duval, driver: “This weekend Lady Luck didn’t smile on us! I
made a good start in the Sprint race but I was boxed by the British car in the
first corner. I had to lift off and India took advantage of this to nip
past. In the second event the first refuelling stop cost us a rostrum finish.
Towards the end I had to nurse the car as the gearbox was beginning to act up.
Despite this, I missed out on the fastest lap by a tenth of a second, which
shows just how quick we are. Finally our weekend’s performance was not in
keeping with our hopes, but we managed to score a few points. We’re still
second overall and last year we had a good race on the Taupo circuit. Between
now and then we’ll have to improve our refuelling procedures. I’d like to thank
the mechanics and the team, which gave me a good car for the whole weekend.”
|
