The first New Year action for A1GP World Cup of Motorsport was at the Portimao Circuit in the Algarve last weekend. The series’ test team was in action with Italian F3 Champion, Mirko Bortolotti, at the wheel of the powered-by-Ferrari car.
The circuit received rave reviews after several Formula One teams tested there at the end of 2008 and Bortolotti certainly agreed with them when he said: “The track is fantastic but very tricky.†Commenting on his first taste of the new A1GP car, he continued: “It was the first time I had tested an A1GP car and I loved it. We did a lot of laps, despite the rain in the morning and I hope I can get another chance to test the car.†Bortolotti joined regular A1GP test driver, Andrea Bertolini, at the three day test.
Current championship leader, A1 Team Ireland, enjoyed plenty of media attention back home over Christmas and its drivers Adam Carroll and Niall Quinn took part in the BP Ultimate Celebrity Karting Challenge at Autosport International at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham, Great Britain last Friday (9 January). The annual Autosport International is the largest motorsport exhibition in the world, catering for motorsport and automotive industry professionals and motorsport fans.
Plans are also progressing for A1GP’s return to Indonesia next month, for its third race in the country. A1 Team Indonesia fans had the chance to enjoy a day out at the Pejaten Village Mall last weekend to meet the team’s drivers, Satrio Hermanto and Zahir Ali, for autographs and photos. Ahead of the country’s first ever street race, fans will have two further opportunities on the 17 January in Gajah Mada Plaza and again on 31 January in Supermall Karawaci to meet the team and win tickets to the race.
As part of the A1GP Lippo Village pre-race activities, the organisers have also scheduled many other events including displaying the A1GP car in several malls and places of interests in and around Jakarta. A Race Queen Competition will be held to select the Grid Girls for the event.
Current leaders A1 Team Ireland want to make sure everyone knows the Irish national anthem by the end of the season. The A1GP teams are now making final preparations before heading to New Zealand next week, when round four of the 2008/09 season will take place at Taupo Motorsport Park.
