New champion guaranteed
Sunday, April 13, 2008
While the championship may not have been settled in Shanghai today, one thing is for sure – the A1GP World Cup of Motorsport will have a new name on it this season.
Going into this weekend’s A1GP Shanghai, China, eight teams were in still in with a mathematical chance of securing this season’s title, including 2005/06 champion France.
However, following an action-packed pair of races today, only two – Switzerland and New Zealand – are left with any chance going into the final pair of races at Brands Hatch on 4 May.
Both have secured the runner-up spot in previous A1GP seasons, however neither has been champion, meaning that whoever is crowned in Great Britain will be tasting title glory for the first time.
However, the odds are stacked heavily in Switzerland’s favour. It has a 29-point lead in the standings with a maximum of 32 available. All Neel Jani needs to do is simply finish ahead of New Zealand’s Jonny Reid in either of the two races in Great Britain – or just finish at least seventh in one of them.
Roll of honour – A1GP champions
2005/06 A1 Team France
2006/07 A1 Team Germany
2007/08 A1 Team Switzerland or A1 Team New Zealand