for A1Team.NZL at Donington Park
New Zealand race driver Chris van der Driftwill be getting behind the wheel of the new A1GP Powered by Ferrari car this coming Tuesday, completing the first test laps for the New Zealand team at the British circuit of Donington. Initially a two day test was planned for 19 August, but the test session did not go ahead as all the cars for A1 teams were not ready.
Van der Drift has driven an A1GP car in the past, the most recent being atthe British circuit of Brands Hatch in May 2008 where he was involved in the‘rookie’ sessions for the last round of the 2007/2008 season assisting with the set-up of the New Zealand entry.
The New Zealander left quite an impression behind after being quickest in both of the rookie test sessions. After three successful years a new era is to begin for A1GP.
The new season will see the introduction of a same make car and 600hp motor supplied by Ferrari, the car based on the F2004 used very successfully by seven time world F1 champion Michael Schumacher. Due to a delay in development of the new car, the first collective test sessions take place between 9-11 September.
All A1GP teams will have the opportunity to begin preparation and gather testing knowledge in this time, in advance of the first race of the season to be held at the Dutch circuit of Zandvoort on the weekend of 3-5October.
Chris van der Drift (22) is at present racing with the Italian race-team JDMotorsport in the International Formula Master championship, and after five race wins he is currently leading the championship by 13 points.
International Formula Master supports the FIA World Touring Car Championship (WTCC), the 250hp single seaters able to produce lap times quicker than top level Formula 3 cars.
The highly competitive championship is over a total of 16 races and to date 12 races have been held this season. The winner of the2008 championship can look forward to a test with the Honda F1-team.
“I can’t wait to get into the new A1GP Powered by Ferrari car” said Van derDrift. “It will be a great experience as the car is much faster and of a still higher level. I want to make a good contribution to the team bycollecting as much set-up data as possible, and of course I am enormously honoured to be asked to test in the car. I will be doing my utmost best as I am hoping that there will be more.”
