The A1 Grand Prix car that will be used in the new
A1GP series has completed the first part of an intensive test session and has now completed over 2,000 kilometres on track.
The car has been put through its paces in varying conditions at
Snetterton in England and
Jerez, with general manager Stephen Watson sharing the driving with former Jordan
Formula One driver Ralph Firman sharing the driving duties in Spain.
“The car gives you great confidence,” Firman said afterwards. “It is wonderful to be back behind the wheel of a powerful single seater again.”
Watson was also pleased with the way the car had performed.
“We have achieved exactly what we set out to here,” he said. “The entire focus of the test was to see how the whole package would perform in high ambient temperatures and dusty conditions.
“We have been able to lap quicker than the
F3000 times [set in November and February] in significantly warmer conditions. I am very pleased with the results to date.”
Technical operations advisor John Wickham echoed the views of the drivers, saying the test had been positive with the car being both quick and reliable.
The series is due to start in 2005.
