France may have yet to decide who will take over from Loïc Duval for the remainder of the 2007/08 A1GP campaign, but following the 25-year-old's stunning recent run of success, whoever does get the nod will undeniably have a hard act to follow.
In his final two meetings for the national squad – at Taupo and Eastern Creek – Duval registered a brace of pole positions, victory in the sprint race Down Under and two further rostrum finishes to propel
les bleus to the top of the title standings, level on points with New Zealand. With prior commitments to racing in Japan, however, the Chartres-born ace knew Eastern Creek was likely to be his last hurrah in the World Cup of Motorsport – for the time being at least.
“I signed my contract in Japan before A1GP started,” he confirmed. “At the moment it looks unlikely I'll be able to do South Africa, but we'll see. The last three races I definitely cannot do.
“For sure I will be at my computer, though, checking
A1GP.com and watching the races on TV. It is really important for the team and for France to win this championship.”
The inaugural A1GP champions took a significant step towards regaining their crown by ending a losing streak stretching back some 37 races in Australia last weekend. The team made a major effort to get Duval to Eastern Creek in time for the latest meeting, with him only arriving at the circuit an hour before free practice began on Friday.
His sprint triumph repaid their faith in style, but team manager Eric Boullier is now resigned to looking for another driver to replace France's talisman and take up the battle for honours over the last four rounds. Former drivers Nicolas Lapierre, Alex Prémat, Nicolas Prost and Jonathan Cochet are all believed to be in the running for the seat.
“For Durban we have a schedule problem for Loïc,” Boullier underlined, “and we would have to fly him back from Japan overnight on Friday for him to be at the track on Saturday. That is why this is maybe too difficult.
