A1 Team Malaysia finished in sixth place in the Feature race and seventh place in the Sprint race at the A1GP World Cup of Motorsport, Sydney, Australia, today, recovering well in a challenging weekend for the team.The team faced some challenges in the practice sessions, running in the lower grid positions for much of the time. With mechanical issues and routine engineering tasks using up valuable track time the team used their expertise to review their strategy prior to qualifying and with Yoong's driving skill were able to improve to 10th place for the Sprint race grid.
In the Sprint race, with only 15 laps of racing, Yoong knew that the firstlap would be his chance to gain ground. At the green flag the Malaysian moved immediately to lie eighth. He maintained this position as the raceunfolded and after a safety car period mid-distance Yoong kept his placing and by the chequered flag, with the British car ahead dropping out of the race, he finished in 7th position, just one place out of the points.
The Feature race, with the Malaysian starting from seventh place, saw drama from the start, with Singapore nudging Canada into a barrel roll off the track, bringing out a safety car period. Six laps later the race restarted and Yoong held position, pitting for his mandatory tyre change as soon as allowed. Returning to the track he improved a place to sixth and held this position until the chequered flag.
A1 Team Malaysia remains sixth in the A1GP World Cup standings with 35points, only two points behind the British team currently lying fourth.
Yoong reviewed the races saying, "In the Sprint race we had a good start and made up a couple of positions, but didn't really have an opportunity to makeup any more with so few laps. We had a great start for the Feature race, but the French car weaved towards me and I had to back out of the first corner which allowed the Czech car to get past, so I should have been third or fourth. From then on I was just pushing as hard as I could. After the pitstop I had problems with the front right tyre graining, so although I could keep the Swiss car behind me, I couldn't make an impression on the Czech car ahead. We take away some points, which is good for the team and we move on to Durban for more A1GP action."
Jack Cunningham, Chief Executive, A1 Team Malaysia, reflected on the weekend saying, "We have produced a top ten finish for Malaysia and, importantly, amassed more championship points. Our goal now has to be to get in the front running pace right from the start of the weekend. There are many positives we take away from Australia, but we know we need to do more if we're to get further up the championship points table".
The A1GP World Cup of Motorsport heads to Durban, South Africa in three weeks time for the eighth round of the 12 race Series. The event, from 23 -25 February is a return visit for A1GP, with the races taking place at a temporary street circuit, and promises to deliver more exciting race action for the local motorsport fans and for the millions of TV viewers around theworld.
For further information regarding the season visit http://www.a1teammalaysia.com.my/.
Ends.
Sunday 04 Feb 2007