2005 A1 GRAND PRIX

A1 GP (2005/2006)

RACE RESULT:

• 1 Brazil , Nelson Piquet Jr
  2 Australia , Will Power
  3 New Zealand , Matt Halliday
  4 Mexico
  5 France
  6 Great Britain
  7 Malaysia
  8 South Africa
  9 Pakistan
  10 Netherlands

QUALIFYING

• 1 Brazil - Nelson Piquet Jr
• 2 New Zealand - Matt Halliday
• 3 France - Alexandre Premat
• 4 Australia - Will Power
• 5 Great Britain - Robbie Kerr
• 6 Switzerland - Neel Jani
• 7 Mexico - Salvador Duran
• 8 Pakistan - Adam Khan
• 9 Malaysia - Alex Yoong
• 10 Japan - Ryo Fukuda

RACE REPORT

• While Brazil came out victors in both races, it was in the Feature race that Nelson Piquet Jr had to really work for the $300,000 cheque for his Team. He led from pole for the first 14 laps but then it was A1 Team Great Britain's Robbie Kerr who thrilled the home crowd by leading for the next three laps. Sadly his car ground to a halt on lap 18 with battery failure and it was then A1 Team Australia's Will Power who continued at the front. The Australian never had a moment's peace as his wing mirrors were full of the Brazilian colours. In an audacious manoeuvre on lap 29, Piquet put Brazil back on top and with a clear track in front of him was able to pull away and win by over 10 seconds.
• A couple of drivers didn't make it round the first lap and they were those representing India and France. However, A1 Team Netherlands' driver who was the first retirement in the Sprint race and, therefore, last on the grid for the Feature race drove through the field and ended up scoring points with a seventh place.
• The strength and safety of the A1 race car was tested to the full by A1 Team Lebanon. It was on lap 14 that Khalil Beschir, after a collision with the car from A1 Team Italy, was involved in a heart-stopping moment when his car rolled several times before coming to a halt upside down in a gravel trap. The safety crews were on the scene within seconds and the lucky driver was helped out of his car without any injuries whatsoever. This brought out A1 Grand Prix's first safety car. However it wasn't the only one of the race as when A1 Team Russia spun off on lap 19 it was deployed again to remove the stricken car.
• Once the racing began again, it was battles right to the chequered flag with the fight for the final podium position fast and furious. A1 Team Mexico had moved into third on lap 18 at which time fourth was A1 Team Malaysia. However, a fast charging New Zealand car that had stalled on the parade lap had worked its way through the field and was now ready to pounce. First to fall victim was A1 Team Malaysia on lap 20 and from then on Mexico was the next intended victim. The Mexican driver kept his nerve and despite all the best efforts of the New Zealander crossed the line in third.
• Commenting on the first A1 Grand Prix of Nations, A1 Grand Prix Founder, President and Chairman, Sheikh Maktoum said: 'To actually see my dream come true today was for me, truly amazing. I am delighted at the number of people who came to watch what was an historic event and I hope they enjoyed the day and will now want to follow our series. We know from the number of hits on our own website that we already have millions of fans around the world and I hope those who were watching us from their own homes also felt this was something special. We have learnt a lot this weekend and I want to thank everyone involved in whatever capacity who made today happen.'
• A1 Grand Prix CEO, Tony Teixeira said: 'What I have seen today has turned me into a real petrol head. I became involved in A1GP as I saw it as a sound business proposal. All the numbers stacked up and the fact 25 nations also saw this in the same light means my initial reaction was the right one. Having now seen our first race weekend I can pursue sponsors with a renewed passion as we have something very special to offer them on a worldwide platform.'

A1GP TEAM NEW ZEALAND REPORT

• NZ THIRD AFTER HISTORIC FIRST A1 GRAND PRIX
• The New Zealand A1 team is an impressive third on the championship table after this morning’s historic Grand Prix at Brands Hatch in England.
• Matt Halliday drove the Black Beauty to 3rd in the opening Sprint Race and fought back to end up 4th in the Feature Race after stalling at the start and having to work his way through the field.
• Brazil won both the 18-lap Sprint Race and the longer Feature Race. With Nelson Piquet Jnr also posting the fastest lap of the day, the South Americans earned a maximum 21 points at the inaugural event. Australia, with a 4th and a 2nd, has 16 points to be second on the table, just one point ahead of New Zealand (15 points).
• Halliday also scored $US110,000 for the New Zealand team’s coffers in what A1 Team.NZL chief executive Bob McMurray said was “a mind-blowing” opening weekend for the team.
• “To say we’re happy is an understatement,” McMurray said. “This was professionally executed motor racing in the big league and what an achievement! I feel a bit blitzed by it all, but very, very happy.”
• After being mid-to-late table in the opening practice sessions on Friday (11th and 18th), New Zealand shot up to 2nd fastest after the third practice and maintained that position after the four segments of Qualifying.
• The podium placing in the Sprint Race was a huge boost for the team, who rode an emotional rollercoaster when Halliday stalled in the Feature Race.
• “It was a bad mistake,” Halliday said, “and I had to use all my race craft to get back in contention. It was so exciting charging through from the rear, it was just head down, passing people left and right, inside and outside.
• “It was extremely intense, but we’ve ended up in very good shape. We’re ahead of some outstanding countries and we’ve proved that we can challenge for the overall championship.”
• Halliday’s effort was even more meritorious given the carnage in the Feature Race. Only 13 of the 25 nations crossed the finish line and big guns like France, the United Kingdom and the USA bowed out as Halliday worked his way through the field while staying out of trouble.
• McMurray said the team will be full of confidence heading to Germany for the second round in a fortnight.
• “The car is in one piece, the team is all smiles, we know where we’re at and where we’re going; it’s a great position to be in.
• “It feels like this weekend is a vindication of A1 Team.NZL and all the hard work put in by Colin Giltrap and the team. We feel thrilled for our sponsors and the people back home who have sent through messages of support. We’re simply overwhelmed.”
• With Halliday having Bathurst commitments Jonny Reid will be in the driver’s seat in Germany.

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