A1 Team Ireland and Adam Carroll have moved one step closer to the team's maiden title after taking victory in the A1GP Sprint Race at Brands Hatch.

India's Narain Karthikeyan finished second with Mexico's Salvador Duran taking the final podium position.

Carroll made a good start from pole but Mexico had a better run into Paddock Hill, taking the lead around the outside through the first corner. Ireland settled into second from USA, Portugal, India and Netherlands, New Zealand and Switzerland.

Australia's John Martin took advantage of a mistake by Switzerland's Neel Jani to take eighth place before the mandatory pit stop window opened.

India made the decision to pit early alongside Lebanon, Germany and Malaysia. A lap later Mexico and Ireland made their way into the pits but after an incredibly quick stop by the Irish team, Adam Carroll regained the lead with India taking second.

John R Hildebrand continued his good weekend form in his first race for A1 Team USA today by moving up to third after the pit stops, pushing Mexico down to fourth. Monaco's Clivio Piccione had problems leaving the pits, rolling to a stop at the pit lane exit.

On lap nine the order was Ireland from India, USA, Mexico, Portugal, Netherlands, Australia and Switzerland. 

Duran was then able to capitalise on a mistake from Hildebrand at the final corner which gave the Mexican a good run to take third into the first corner.

Carroll now had a 3.867-second lead from India but still kept the fans on the edge of their seats kicking up the dust showing no sign of easing off the pace.

On lap 15 Lebanon's Daniel Morad lost the back end and spun into the gravel at Paddock Hill Bend with New Zealand's Earl Bamber also going into the gravel to avoid hitting the Lebanese car, leaving both cars out the race.
Carroll took victory with a comfortable 7.230-second margin over India. Mexico's Duran settled for the final podium position.

A1 Team Brazil did not make the start after being unable to repair the car in time for this morning's Sprint race. The team is still working hard and hopes to have the car ready in time for the Feature race.

Ireland needs to finish fifth or better in this afternoon's Feature race to guarantee them the A1GP World Cup of Motorsport title.

“It's never easy,” Carroll said. “Sprint races are always quite strange, they're tougher than the Feature race for some reason. I could see Mexico pushing very hard so just let then get on with it and hoped the boys would come up with the goods in the pit stop and they did. It's a relief for this race to be over and once this afternoon is done we can relax.”