Mexico A1GP: A1 Team Malaysia Goes Through Set Up Programme In Practice 1 & 2

Alex going through setup programme in the wet...(click image to enlarge)

Alex: "Not Going For Times At The Moment"

Rain greeted the A1 Grand Prix field for the first practice session at the A1 Grand Prix of Nations, Parque Fundidora, Monterrey, Mexico today.

Alex Yoong, with previous experience at the track from his time in the American-based Champ Car series, was able to run strongly from the first time out in the A1 car.

In the first practice session Yoong used the time to reacquaint himself with the characteristics of the track, particularly with the wet conditions creating areas of standing water. Lying 10th quickest after the first hour of practice, Yoong was comfortable with his performance. In the second session he concentrated his efforts on car setup rather than quick times, finishing 18th quickest at its conclusion.

Yoong reviewed his day saying, “We’re satisfied with our opening practice sessions. This morning the car felt good, but it was difficult in these weather conditions to really get the best from the car. This afternoon we weren’t really going for a time, but putting our efforts in to making car setup changes, so our time is not representative of our potential performance on Sunday.”

Jack Cunningham, Team Principal, A1 Team Malaysia adds, “Alex’s knowledge of the track gives us a small advantage which are able to use to positive effect – so he doesn’t need to run just to learn the track.

Due to the poor weather conditions and how dirty the track was today, we decided we wouldn’t run that much in today’s sessions and certainly wouldn’t push for a time. We ran only fourteen laps this morning and sixteen this afternoon, using the sessions to learn an appropriate set-up for the car for the races just in case these are the conditions that we have on Sunday. We understand, from our research, that it’s likely to be wet on Sunday.

In any case we’re confident that there’s more to come from Alex and that our overall position will be improved in the session tomorrow morning and in qualifying. We are back on track tomorrow morning at which time, weather permitting, we will push a little harder.”

The A1 Grand Prix of Nations, Monterrey, Mexico continues tomorrow with a one-hour final practice session before qualifying takes place in the afternoon. A1 Grand Prix qualifying comprises four ‘flying lap’ segments, with the fastest two laps aggregated to determine the qualifying time and grid position for the first of the two races on Sunday.

Proton is the Official Sponsor of A1 Team Malaysia and 8TV is the official Malaysian broadcaster of the A1 Grand Prix of Nations series.

A1 Team Malaysia Release

* For full results of Official Practice 1 & 2 click HERE.