baronrojo

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baronrojo

Automovilismo | Otro reto para el heptacampeón

Schumacher prepara su regreso en la A1GP

Es el piloto más laureado de la historia del automovilismo con sus 91 victorias en grandes premios y siete títulos de Fórmula 1. Gran referente para los aficionados gracias a su ambición por ganar y su entrega en la competición, todo lo que hace tiene mucha trascendencia





Rafa Payá | 20/12/2007
Echo de menos las carreras. Siempre me ha gustado competir. Y ese amor sigue ahí. Mi afición no era estar sentado detrás de una mesa trabajando en Fiorano y sigo pensando lo mismo. Probablemente tenga los conocimientos para hacerlo, pero sigue sin ser mi objetivo". Son palabras de Michael Schumacher a lo largo del tiempo que lleva alejado de los circuitos. El alemán se retiró aduciendo echar de menos a su familia y la tensión de disputar un campeonato tan duro y exigente como la F-1, pero nunca ha escondido su pasión por el pilotaje.
Sus test con Ferrari en Montmeló y Jerez, su prueba con la Ducati de Stoner, sus exhibiciones en kárting, su participación en Wembley en la 'Carrera de Campeones', así como otras demostraciones fuera de la pista como su trayecto en taxi por Alemania o sus viajes en deportivos de la marca del 'Cavallino Rampante', dan buena muestra de su afición desmesurada por la velocidad y la competición.
Muchos rumores, incluso, hablaban de su posible regreso a la F-1 pero al parecer sus continuas probaturas con el F2007 tienen una explicación más sencilla. Michael ha encontrado la manera de saciar su hambre de carreras, eso sí, sin inmiscuirse en un campeonato que le obligue a una entera dedicación ni le prive de disfrutar de su mujer y sus hijos. A sus 38 años (cumple 39 en enero), al Kaiser le faltaba una buena excusa para su regreso sin presión y con una explicación. Y lo ha encontrado.
Ferrari suministrará todos los motores a la A1GP durante seis años a partir de la próxima temporada, la cuarta del campeonato. Además, tendrá el papel de consultor en el diseño y fabricación de los nuevos chasis de la categoría, basados totalmente en el monoplaza de 2007 de la F-1, con ligeras modificaciones. E incluso manejarán todo el merchandising utilizando el nombre de la escudería de Maranello asociado al A1GP.
En otras palabras, Ferrari entra con mucha fuerza para dar un espaldarazo a este certamen que no ha tenido la acogida prevista. La inversión es muy grande y aunque la idea no es competir con la F-1, que además iría en contra de sus propios intereses, sí que desean subir unos cuantos escalones. De hecho también Ferrari ha dado su apoyo y estará pendiente de la A2GP, una competición regional que comenzará en 2009 y que tiene la idea de cantera a imagen de la GP2.
Por tanto, la idea de la escudería italiana de hacer resurgir el campeonato de naciones tiene sus mimbres colocados. Sólo le falta la estrella del árbol, el adorno que todo el mundo admire. Y ése es Michael Schumacher. La unión es sencilla y todas las piezas del puzzle se unen casi por casualidad. Faltaba la presencia de alguien muy cercano al Kaiser para convencerle. Y sorpresa; la persona que ha estado a su lado en las carreras, su mánager Willi Weber, es el máximo responsable del equipo de Alemania en la A1GP y también apoderado de Nico Hulkenberg, recientemente fichado como probador de Williams y principal valedor del título germano en la segunda edición.
La gran amistad de Weber con Schumacher, el interés de Ferrari en promocionar su inversión, la posibilidad de poder correr algunas pruebas sin obligación de disputar el campeonato entero, la similitud del F2007 que Michael ha estado probando con el coche que se usará la próxima temporada y la devoción casi enfermiza de Schumi por la competición parecen haber hecho el resto. Y por si fuera poco se apunta que el circuito de Mugello pedirá una prueba del certamen. Schumacher corriendo en Italia, representando a Alemania y subido, de nuevo, en un Ferrari. ¿Existiría mejor publicidad para revitalizar la A1GP?

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kaiser

RUMOR:
Suspendido el Dakar por las amenazas de Al Qaeda

20MINUTOS.ES. 04.01.2008 - 12:36h

Ampliar foto
Carlos Sainz prueba la suspensión de su Volkswagen por tierras mauritanas (ARCHIVO).

• Según adelanta el canal France Televisions.
• Los organizadores hablan de "duro golpe" a la carrera.
• ENCUESTA: ¿Crees que la decisión es acertada?

La edición 2008 del rally Lisboa-Dakar ha sido suspendida por falta de seguridad en las etapas de que debían celebrarse en Mauritania, anunció France Télévisions, organismo encargado de la difusión de las imágenes de la prueba.

El responsable de deportes de esa cadena, Daniel Bilalian, se adelantó al anuncio oficial por parte de los organizadores, que será a las 13,00 horas en Lisboa (12,00 GMT) y, en declaraciones a la emisora Europe 1, habló de "golpe duro" a la carrera.
De esta manera, las amenazas de Al Qaeda dan al traste con el rally. La muerte, hace unos días, de cuatro turistas franceses en Mauritania ya planteó serias dudas sobre la seguridad de la carrera y el Gobierno de Francia desaconsejó su celebración.

kaiser

Villadelprat prepara el primer coche español para Le Mans

VIDEO:

http://www.as.com/motor/video/villad...asdasmot_1/Ves

kaiser

Imagenes del Nissan GT-R GT500 en el Auto Salón de Tokio

Tags: Auto Salón de Tokio, GT500, Nissan
En estos días no todo es el Salón de Detroit, ya que en Japón y por estos mismos momentos el Auto Salón de Tokio está en su apogeo. Y Nissan presentará una versión súper especial del GT-R llamada GT500, destinado al mundo de Super GT, categoría japonesa de producción.
El GT500 contó con la apreciable colaboración de NISMO, el preparador oficial de Nissan y se han cuidado hasta los detalles de la combinación de colores que tienen un significado; el rojo simboliza la pasión por la competencia, mientras el negro está referido a las altas prestaciones del Nissan GT-R.
Los detalles completos serán develados por Nissan el 31 de enero. Mientras tanto, ofrecemos imagenes exclusivas a la hora de escribir este post del GT500.

Vía: Nihon Car

baronrojo

Ralf realizará prueba para equipo Mercedes DTM

15 enero 2008


Ralf Schumacher realizará una prueba para el equipo Mercedes de DTM esta semana en Estoril, Portugal.

El piloto alemán, que tras los últimos entrenamientos de 2007 de la Fórmula Uno anunció que se tomaría un año sabático, estará esta semana en Portugal donde se pondrá a los mandos de un AMG Mercedes C-Class.

Un portavoz de Mercedes-Benz ha dicho a la página DTM.com que hace tiempo Norbert Haug llegó a un acuerdo con Ralf para "que probase un DTM cuando se presentase una ocasión. Ahora ha llegado esa ocasión por primera vez".

Así mismo, el representante del constructor alemán indicó que no ha nada fijo para el futuro y que lo que suceda tras los tests "está completamente abierto".

__________________

baronrojo

alf , más cerca de Mercedes y el DTM
''Me he divertido mucho con estos test''
18/01/08 10:40


Ralf Schumacher podría seguir su carrera en el DTM

Ralf Schumacher muy probablemente acabe compitiendo este año en el DTM alemán tras haber declarado estar muy satisfecho con las dos jornadas de prueba que ha realizado esta semana en Estoril.

El piloto alemán de 32 años, que perdió su asiento en Toyota a finales del 2007, complete más de 100 vueltas en el antiguo escenario del GP de Portugal de F1 a los mandos de un Mercedes-Benz C-Class negro.

"Los coches son realmente atractivos para pilotarlos, " aseguraba Schumacher en declaraciones al diario Bild.

La publicación alemana le preguntaba al ex piloto de Toyota si lo veremos compitiendo este año en el DTM.

"Deberías preguntárselo a Norbert Haug (director de competición de Mercedes)," comentaba con una sonrisa Schumacher.

"Nos veremos la próxima semana y hablaremos sobre lo que podemos hacer juntos en el futuro, " añadía Ralf.

"Lo cierto es que me he divertido mucho. Estos coches son buenos en las curvas rápidas, algo que no me esperaba, y el motor es de un alto nivel. "

El piloto alemán recibía de muy buen grado los comentarios de Haug, que elogió los buenos registros marcados por Ralf durante estos dos días de test.

Schumacher bromeaba: "¿Qué pensabais? ¿Qué la gente me pagaba en la F1 por nada?

"Pero hablando en serio, aunque los tiempos han estado bien, para poder estar delante necesitaría trabajar duro, " añadía.

alf, contento con su primer test del DTM
''Ha sido una sensación nueva''
17/01/08 16:08


Ralf podría competir este año en el DTM

Ralf Schumacher se mostraba satisfecho ayer miércoles tras completar su primer test al volante de un Mercedes-Benz del DTM.

El piloto alemán de 32 años probó a los mandos de un C-Class negro en el circuito de Estoril, antiguo escenario del GP de Portugal, ante la posibilidad de poder competir esta próxima temporada en el DTM.

"Para mí es una sensación totalmente nueva rodar con un techo encima," explicaba el ex piloto de Williams y Toyota en declaraciones al diario alemán Bild.

"La primera vuelta ha sido muy divertida," aseguraba Schumacher.

Ralf tiene previsto rodar nuevamente hoy jueves mientras el mismo Bild indica que las negociaciones con Norbert Haug para tratar un posible contrato de 2,5 millones para este año podrían comenzar inmediatamente.

Haug, Director de Competición de Mercedes, apuntaba: "Sus tiempos han sido muy satisfactorios."

__________________

baronrojo

Neuseeland
A1 Grand Prix Serie
Startaufstellung Sprintrennen
Datum19.01.2008FotosA1GP in Taupo




Pos.TeamFahrerZeitauf F.auf V.

1A1 Team.NZLJ. Reid1:15.241
2A1 Team.RSAA. Zaugg1:15.5220.281
3A1 Team.FRAL. Duval1:15.6280.3870.106
4A1 Team.GERC. Vietoris1:15.7240.4830.096
5A1 Team.NEDJ. Bleekemolen1:16.0360.7950.312
6A1 Team.USAJ. Summerton1:16.1010.8600.065
7A1 Team.IRLA. Carroll1:16.1820.9410.081
8A1 Team.CANR. Wickens1:16.2010.9600.019
9A1 Team.MALA. Yoong1:16.3861.1450.185
10A1 Team.BRAS. Jimenez1:16.4081.1670.022
11A1 Team.SUIN. Jani1:16.4231.182-3.599.985
12A1 Team.ITAE. Piscopo1:16.4721.2310.049
13A1 Team.GBRR. Kerr1:16.7311.4900.259
14A1 Team.PORJ. Urbano1:17.1471.9060.416
15A1 Team.AUSJ. Martin1:17.3092.0680.162
16A1 Team.CHNC. Cheng1:17.6822.4410.373
17A1 Team.LEBC. Alajajian1:17.6822.4410.000
18A1 Team.MEXD. Garza1:17.8092.5680.127
19A1 Team.CZET. Enge1:17.8112.5700.002
20A1 Team.INDN. Karthikeyan1:17.9612.7200.150
21A1 Team.INAS. Hermanto1:18.4213.1800.460
22A1 Team.PAKA. Khan1:18.6353.3940.214

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baronrojo

Neuseeland
A1 Grand Prix Serie
Startaufstellung Hauptrennen
Datum19.01.2008
FotosA1GP in Taupo




Pos.TeamFahrerZeitauf F.auf V.

1A1 Team.FRAL. Duval1:15.296
2A1 Team.GERC. Vietoris1:15.3310.035
3A1 Team.SUIN. Jani1:15.4760.1800.145
4A1 Team.CANR. Wickens1:15.5880.2920.112
5A1 Team.NZLJ. Reid1:15.6180.3220.030
6A1 Team.PORJ. Urbano1:15.6200.3240.002
7A1 Team.RSAA. Zaugg1:15.6510.3550.031
8A1 Team.NEDJ. Bleekemolen1:15.7950.4990.144
9A1 Team.GBRR. Kerr1:15.8950.5990.100
10A1 Team.USAJ. Summerton1:15.8980.6020.003
11A1 Team.BRAS. Jimenez1:16.0240.7280.126
12A1 Team.AUSJ. Martin1:16.1060.8100.082
13A1 Team.IRLA. Carroll1:16.1150.8190.009
14A1 Team.MALA. Yoong1:16.1980.9020.083
15A1 Team.MEXD. Garza1:16.3131.0170.115
16A1 Team.ITAE. Piscopo1:16.5241.2280.211
17A1 Team.LEBC. Alajajian1:16.5561.2600.032
18A1 Team.CHNC. Cheng1:16.7611.4650.205
19A1 Team.INDN. Karthikeyan1:16.7911.4950.030
20A1 Team.CZET. Enge1:17.5262.2300.735
21A1 Team.PAKA. Khan1:17.5562.2600.030
22A1 Team.INAS. Hermanto1:18.1062.8100.550

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baronrojo

A1 GRAND PRIX
Taupo: Neuseeland und Frankreich auf den Poles
19. Januar 2008 - 07:01 Uhr
Neuseeland hat sich Startplatz eins für das Sprintrennen gesichert, die Franzosen stehen im Hauptrennen ganz vorn - A1 Team Deutschland in der ersten Reihe

Johnny Reid holte sich umjubelt von den Fans die Pole für das Sprintrennen
Neuseeland und Frankreich sind die A1 Teams, die sich für die morgigen Rennen in Taupo die Pole Positions sichern konnten. Es war eine für A1GP-Verhältnisse ungewöhnliche Qualifikation. Wegen der staubigen und windigen Verhältnisse warteten in den vier 15-minütigen Segmenten alle Teams so lang wie möglich in der Box, bevor sie zu ihren schnellen Runden auf die Strecke gingen.
In der Qualifikation zum Sprintrennen war es Lokalmatador Johnny Reid vom Gastgeber-Team Neuseeland, der die Fans zum Jubeln brachte. In der letzten Phase des zweiten Qualifying-Segments schnappte sich Reid mit einer Zeit von 1:15:241 Minuten die Pole Position. "Es war ein tolles Gefühl, alle auf den Tribünen aufspringen zu sehen, als ich durchs Ziel gefahren bin", freute sich Reid danach. "Ich hatte während der Session keinen Funk, aber ich habe die Leute Jubeln sehen und habe gehofft, dass ich es wenigstens in die erste Reihe geschafft hätte. Ich hatte in Q2 eine freie Runde und habe keine Fehler gemacht. Ich habe die Unterstützung der Fans und will morgen wirklich gewinnen."


Neben Neuseeland steht das A1 Team Südafrika in der ersten Reihe. Pilot Adrian Zaug legte ebenfalls eine beeindruckende letzte Runde hin und schob sich vor auf Rang zwei. Der Franzose Loic Duval, der am gestrigen Freitag die Bestzeit geholt hatte, sicherte sich für das Sprintrennen Startplatz drei, direkt dahinter folgt das A1 Team Deutschland mit Christian Vietoris auf Platz vier. Die dritte Startreihe teilen sich der Niederländer Jeroen Bleekemolen und Jonathan Summerton vom A1 Team USA.

Startplatz zwei für Deutschland Auch in der Qualifikation zum Hauptrennen war Geduld angesagt. Wieder ließen sich die Teams alle Zeit, und gingen erst in den letzten Minuten auf Bestzeiten-Jagd. So fiel auch hier die Entscheidung um die Pole Position in letzter Sekunde. Diesmal war es der Franzose Duval, der sich mit einer Zeit von 1:15.296 Minuten die Bestzeit und damit Startplatz eins sicherte.
"Die erste Hälfte der Qualifikation war okay, weil ich in Q1 Schnellster war, aber das Set Up des Autos war nicht mehr so gut wie heute Morgen", berichtete Duval. "Es war sehr schwer, eine gute Abstimmung zu finden, deshalb habe ich es nur geschafft, die Pole Position für das Hauptrennen zu holen. Mein Durchschnitt heute ist jedoch nicht allzu schlecht - Dritter und Erster - und das Wichtigste ist, dass wir so viele Punkte wie möglich holen."
Grund zum Jubeln hatte auch das A1 Team Deutschland. Nach seinem vierten Startplatz für das Sprintrennen drehte Rückkehrer Vietoris noch einmal auf: Im Hauptrennen holte er sich Startplatz zwei und steht damit neben den Franzosen in der ersten Reihe. "Das Problematische hier ist, dass man nie weiß, was einen in der nächsten Kurve erwartet", schilderte Vietoris danach. "Der heutige Tag war okay, aber gestern war das schlimmer und fast jeder ist irgendwann von der Strecke geflogen."
Spitzenreiter Schweiz holte sich mit Neel Jani Startplatz drei im Hauptrennen, dicht gefolgt vom Kanadier Robert Wickens. Lokalheld Reid steht auf Startplatz fünf, während der Portugiese Joao Urbano sich mit einer sensationellen Runde Startplatz sechs sicherte. Das Sprintrennen beginnt morgen um 11 Uhr Ortszeit (Samstagabend, 23 Uhr MEZ), das 70-minütige Hauptrennen wird um 15 Uhr Ortszeit (03:00 Uhr MEZ) gestartet. 'Premiere' überträgt live ab 02:45 Uhr.

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baronrojo

Taupo Sprint race result

Sunday, January 20, 2008


New Zealand made A1GP history today dominating the Taupo Sprint race from lights-to-flag to take its first ever A1GP win at home. It became only the second team to win a home race in the history of the thrilling series.

Jonny Reid led from pole to take the chequered flag and score 15 crucial points, moving ahead of France for second in the championship.

Current title leader Switzerland’s race was over on the first lap due to a turn one collision, moving the Kiwis to just five points behind the Swiss in the championship battle.

The packed grandstands were on their feet as Reid crossed the line three seconds ahead of defending champion Germany’s Christian Vietoris, to secure the first win for New Zealand since taking the double victory in Brno earlier this season. Germany’s Vietoris, who picked up a bonus point for clocking the fastest lap of the race on lap nine, started from fourth on the grid but quickly closed in on South Africa and France to take second by lap six.

New Zealand and Germany were joined on the podium by France’s Loic Duval, who raced to a strong third place, followed by South Africa’s Adrian Zaugg in fourth.

The Netherlands, Ireland and USA finished fifth, sixth and seventh respectively while Portugal recorded its best finish this season when Joao Urbano crossed the line in eighth position. Australia’s John Martin and India’s Narain Karthikeyan fought hard to take the final two points-paying positions while Pakistan’s Adam Khan put in his best performance of the season to secure 11th behind India.

A1 Team Lebanon was on course for its first ever A1GP point when the Czech Republic’s Tomas Enge hit Chris Alajajian from behind on the ninth lap, causing him to pit for repairs. The Lebanese team finally finished the race in 15th behind China.

Four cars were involved in a first lap incident, Malaysia, Switzerland, Brazil and Canada tangling into turn one, bringing out the safety car for two laps. Malaysia’s Alex Yoong and championship leader Switzerland’s Neel Jani were forced out of the action but Canada’s Robert Wickens and Brazil’s Sergio Jimenez were able to rejoin after pitting for repairs.

New Zealand’s Jonny Reid was ecstatic with his first home win and is eager for another in this afternoon’s Feature race.'

‘It’s huge, absolutely huge,' Reid said. 'It’s the greatest moment in my motorsport career. It means a lot to me and the pressure’s been on all weekend. It’s been all go since I got back from the Christmas break and it’s really, really satisfying to get one on the board for everyone.

'The pole position was nice but now we’ve got the points and that’s what matters in the championship. It’s great to have all the home support and I’m just stoked to be number one in the Sprint.
‘We can definitely move forward in the Feature, it’s a long race and we’ve just got to tune the car a bit more for the conditions and we’ll be right there I’m sure. We’ve got to control the emotions a little bit after this first victory and look for another.’
Germany’s Christian Vietoris, who raced to a superb second was elated with his first podium finish.
‘The main aim was to get on the podium for the Sprint race so I’m really happy,' Vietoris said. 'I feel really comfortable and the car now feels fine and I’m looking forward to the Feature race. I’m starting from the first row and with a good start I hope I can do well.’
France’s Loic Duval, who finished third in the Sprint race and is on pole for the Feature race, was pleased to gain points in the championship battle.
‘I think Adrian took a really good start and actually was in front of Jonny,' he said. 'Christian could pass me in the first two corners and then I managed to come back and get on the podium. I had a good chance to overtake the South African car so it wasn’t too bad and the car was ok. We are going to start first for the Feature race so I’m still really confident.

'I have to take a good start and if I am leading from the front then I think we have a really good chance.’
Pos A1 Team Driver Laps Time Gap

1New ZealandJonny Reid14 19'25.408
2GermanyChristian Vietoris14 19'28.600 3.192
3FranceLoïc Duval14 19'30.307 4.899
4South AfricaAdrian Zaugg14 19'33.231 7.823
5NetherlandsJeroen Bleekemolen14 19'34.989 9.581
6IrelandAdam Carroll14 19'36.320 10.912
7USAJonathan Summerton14 19'36.825 11.417
8PortugalJoão Urbano14 19'38.723 13.315
9AustraliaJohn Martin14 19'40.988 15.580
10IndiaNarain Karthikeyan14 19'48.376 22.968
11PakistanAdam Khan14 19'51.181 25.773
12ItalyEdoardo Piscopo14 19'51.456 26.048
13BrazilSérgio Jimenez14 19'51.949 26.541
14ChinaCheng Cong Fu14 19'52.181 26.773
15LebanonChris Alajajian14 19'54.891 29.483
16IndonesiaSatrio Hermanto14 19'56.515 31.107
17MexicoDavid Garza14 19'56.757 31.349
18CanadaRobert Wickens11 16'15.6613 laps
19Czech RepublicTomas Enge10 14'51.6864 laps
20Great BritainRobbie Kerr9 20'32.0115 laps
21MalaysiaAlex Yoong0 14 laps
22SwitzerlandNeel Jani0 14 laps

__________________

baronrojo

Vietoris wins Feature for Germany

Sunday, January 20, 2008


A1 Team Germany’s Christian Vietoris secured his first A1GP race win in this afternoon’s action-packed Feature race at Taupo Motorsport Park, while New Zealand’s points haul put the home team at the top of the championship standings.

Germany was joined on the podium by Canada’s Robert Wickens in second, the team’s best result of the season, and pole-sitter France’s Loic Duval in third.

The local favourite, New Zealand’s Jonny Reid, was on incredible form, racing to a brilliant fourth place, having fallen back seven places to 12th at the start. The points picked up this weekend put New Zealand two points ahead of Switzerland and France in the championship.

Ireland’s Adam Carroll put in a superb performance to finish fifth after starting from 13th on the grid, despite an early collision which led to an additional pit stop for the emerald green car. He was closely followed by Brazil’s Sergio Jimenez who carried out some impressive overtaking manoeuvres on his way to sixth place, having started 11th.

South Africa’s Adrian Zaugg, USA’s Jonathan Summerton and the Netherlands’ Jeroen Bleekemolen crossed the line in seventh, eighth and ninth place respectively while Mexico’s David Garza drove hard from 15th on the grid to finish 10th and pick up his first point for the team on only his second A1GP race outing.

Previous championship leader Switzerland’s Neel Jani endured a difficult afternoon, receiving two drive through penalties for a false start and for overtaking under yellow flags. The Swiss team picked up a bonus point for the fastest lap and finally crossed the line a disappointing 14th behind Portugal.

Joao Urbano started sixth and had been on course to score Portugal’s best result of the season, running in third for 12 laps of the race, until he was hit with a drive through penalty for crossing the white line on entering the pit lane.

Eight of the 22 teams failed to finish the race, including China’s Congfu Cheng, who spun off the track from seventh place, as many were victims of the dusty and slippery track conditions.

Christian Vietoris, who secured second in the Sprint race and a sensational win in the Feature, was delighted with his team’s performance this weekend.

‘It was a really brilliant weekend for us,' he said. 'The car was a little bit off the pace on Friday but we improved it all weekend and we were on the pace for qualifying and the Sprint race this morning. The team did two good pit stops in the Feature which put me to the front and held me there.

'It was really hard to keep Loic Duval behind me, especially on the long back straight, but we managed to hold position and I am very happy.’


A1GP rookie Robert Wickens, who was awarded third place in Malaysia earlier this season after the podium ceremony had been completed, was encouraged by his second place finish and thrilled that he and his Canadian team-mates were able to enjoy the celebrations this time.

‘We’re definitely making steps in right direction, from our first race in Zandvoort to where we are now,' Wickens said. 'The car has improved a lot and the team finally got a decent result that we all deserve. We got a podium in Malaysia but I wasn’t on it so this time the team got to celebrate and taste the champagne, so it was a great experience. The whole team did a great job today. There is really only one passing opportunity out on track and the team did an outstanding job in the pits.’

France’s Loic Duval, who started the race from pole position for the first time this season, was disappointed with his team’s third-place finish.

‘This race was there for us and we lost it. Sometimes it can happen. We were too slow in the pits and we lost first but there’s nothing more to say about that.

'It’s really hard to pass here but I did the maximum I could. I was maybe trying to push him (Christian Vietoris) to make a mistake because it was really difficult to overtake, but he didn’t. That’s why we did one lap more than him before the pit stop to try to get in front of him but then we lost a bit of time in the pit stop again, so we lost two positions.'

New Zealand now leads the championship on 82 points, two ahead of Switzerland and France who are equal on 80 points.

Taupo Feature race result

Sunday, January 20, 2008

Pos A1 Team Driver Laps Time Gap

1GermanyChristian Vietoris50 1:10'40.168
2CanadaRobert Wickens50 1:10'41.348 1.180
3FranceLoïc Duval50 1:10'42.193 2.025
4New ZealandJonny Reid50 1:10'43.199 3.031
5IrelandAdam Carroll50 1:10'44.256 4.088
6BrazilSérgio Jimenez50 1:10'45.285 5.117
7South AfricaAdrian Zaugg50 1:10'50.275 10.107
8USAJonathan Summerton50 1:10'50.802 10.634
9NetherlandsJeroen Bleekemolen50 1:10'51.343 11.175
10MexicoDavid Garza50 1:10'59.646 19.478
11PakistanAdam Khan50 1:11'05.727 25.559
12Czech RepublicTomas Enge50 1:11'06.674 26.506
13PortugalJoão Urbano50 1:11'10.016 29.848
14SwitzerlandNeel Jani50 1:11'14.619 34.451
15ChinaCheng Cong Fu43 1:01'52.0277 laps
16MalaysiaAlex Yoong38 55'37.01512 laps
17AustraliaJohn Martin37 1:11'03.43513 laps
18IndonesiaSatrio Hermanto21 30'39.75529 laps
19Great BritainRobbie Kerr4 6'21.66746 laps
20ItalyEdoardo Piscopo3 4'57.44847 laps
21LebanonChris Alajajian3 4'57.88947 laps
22IndiaNarain Karthikeyan1 3'20.79549 laps

__________________

baronrojo

1 New Zealand 82
2 France 80
3 Switzerland 80
4 Germany 65
5 South Africa 59
6 Ireland 50
7 Netherlands 50
8 Great Britain 48
9 China 28
10 India 28

y el campeonato se aprieta con dos actuacines buenas del vigente campeon el equipo aleman, que hacen recordar la increible temporada del gran nico hulkemberg..........

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baronrojo

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baronrojo

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baronrojo

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baronrojo

Romain Grosjean on Pole Position
25/01/2008

The Frenchman took the pole position this morning in Dubai. Bruno Senna will start the first race in the front row.

The ART Grand Prix French driver was the quickest today in the qualifying session in a 1:21.760. Bruno Senna, Andy Soucek and Karun Chandhok complete the first two rows. After he crashed earlier today during the free practice, Luca Filippi still managed to qualify in 6th place. His team-mate, Hiroki Yoshimoto, made a mistake 10 minutes before the end of the session and damaged his car. He will start from 8th position.

The Spaniard Adrian Valles had always been quick during the four testing days. For the first race of the GP2 Asia Championship, he will place his FMS car on the 5th position of the grid, while Vitaly Petrov did only one out lap, but then had to go back to the pits because of a gearbox problem. However, he will take part of the race.

Race 1 will start at 3:30pm, local time.
Romain Grosjean (ART Grand Prix): 'Once again, the team did a fantastic job. I was going for pole and I am very happy that I could achieve it. For this afternoon race, I know that Senna is more experienced than I am and I'm also here to learn, but I have a real shot at winning and I won't miss the opportunity.'
Bruno Senna (iSport International): 'In my fastest lap, Fauzy unfortunately blocked me. Then, I had just one last lap to do the job. I am a little disappointed of course, but I will still start from the front row. The level of experience that I have compared to Grosjean may give me a little bit of an edge, but you never know what could happen in the first corner.'
Andy Soucek (DPR): 'This morning, we changed the set up and we improved a lot the performance of the car. In free practice, I was really quick and then I was expecting to fight for pole position. In the last 5 minutes of the session, I lost it to Senna and to Grosjean. Now, we have the pace and I usually make good starts. I will fight for the win.'
Dubai Qualifying:

DriverTeamTimeLaps

1.Romain GrosjeanART Grand Prix1:21.76017
2.Bruno SennaiSport International1:21.80916
3.Andy SoucekDPR1:21.85918
4.KarunChandhok iSport International1:21.96316
5.AdrianValles FMS International1:22.18017
6.Luca FilippiQi-Meritus Mahara1:22.18715
7.Marco BonanomiPiquet Sports1:22.37319
8.Hiroki YoshimotoQi-Meritus Mahara1:22.46912
9.Davide VCalsecchiDurango 1:22.48521
10.Sébastien BuemiTrust Team Arden1:22.52018
11.Kamui KobayashiDams1:22.55619
12.Ho-Pin TungTrident Racing1:22.59519
13.Fairuz FauzySuper Nova Racing1:22.87418
14.Alberto ValerioDurango 1:22.89121
15.Christian BakkerudSuper Nova Racing1:22.94719
16.Harald SchleghelmilchTrident Racing1:23.04816
17.Diego Nunes Barwa International Campos Team1:23.19018
18.MilosPlavlovic BCN Competicion1:23.24020
19.Stephen JelleyART Grand Prix1:23.63713
20Jérôme d’AmbrosioDams1:23.86718
21.Jason TahinciBCN Competicion1:23.94121
22.Michael HerckFMS International1:24.07817
23.Marcello PuglisiPiquet Sports1:24.37817
24.Armaan EbrahimDPR1:24.86415
25Vitaly PetrovBarwa International Campos Team

** Adam Khan: drop of five grid positions for Race 1 for undertaking under red flag

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baronrojo

Romain Grosjean takes maiden win in Dubai
25/01/2008

Romain Grosjean scored his first win in the GP2 Asia Series opening. He is now leading the championship in front of Bruno Senna and Andy Soucek.

The French driver achieved a stellar debut in the GP2 Asia Series: after he snatched pole position this morning, Romain Grosjean managed to lead the first race and cross the finish line in first place, also taking the lead of the Championship. Behind the RDD driver, Bruno Senna and Andy Soucek offered the crowd a great show: the Spaniard overtook the Brazilian in the first lap. Then, the iSport man constantly put pressure on the DPR driver. Both men came into mid-race and resumed there positions. While Soucek was struggling with the tyres, Senna never gave up and finally overtook the Spaniard with four laps to go. Bruno Senna then set the fastest lap time, but Grosjean was already too far away.

A little further down the pack, Adrian Valles and the two Qi-Meritus boys, Luca Filippi and Hiroki Yoshimoto, made their way to the top 6, while Karun Chandhok and Fairuz Fauzy took 7th and 8th place synonym of a 100% Asian driver first row for tomorrow’s race.
The second race of the GP2 Asia Series will take place tomorrow at 1pm, local time.
Romain Grosjean (ART Grand Prix): 'This is amazing: pole position and win on my first GP2 race ever. If I had set the fastest lap time it would have been perfect, but to be completely honest, I’m more than happy. I made a good start and then I tried to keep a good pace. We managed to do a clean pit-stop , also my very first. I’m really thankful to the team. Tomorrow, Starting from the 8th position will be completely different. I am learning and I take it step by step.'
Bruno Senna (iSport International): 'As I was on the dirty part of the track, I didn't make a good start, and then I was too slow in the first lap. Andy took this opportunity to overtake me. Tomorrow, I’ll have to warm up my tyres better… Then, Soucek and I had a great fight. It's too bad I overtook him so late: even though I had the pace, Grosjean was to far away by then.'
Andy Soucek (DPR): 'Ever since this morning, we have a really good pace and I knew I could fight for the win. I could pass Senna in the first lap and then I tried to catch up with Grosjean, but Bruno pressured me and I spent a lot of time checking my mirrors and fighting back. Towards the end, I was struggling with my tyres… I'm still very happy and I’ll keep on pushing tomorrow.'
Dubai Race Result

DriverTeam

1.Romain GrosjeanART Grand Prix
2.Bruno SennaiSport International
3.Andy SoucekDPR
4.AdrianVa