Double podium for A1 Team GBR as Jarvis scores second in both races

A1 Team Great Britain moves to fourth in the championship as Oliver Jarvis scores a double podium in Mexico City In today’s Sprint and Feature races at the Mexico City circuit for round eight of the A1GP World Cup of Motorsport, Oliver Jarvis put in a superb performance to finish second in each event for A1 Team Great Britain.

Jarvis also collected the bonus point for fastest lap in the Feature race and, with GBR netting the highest points haul of all the teams and the only team to score two podiums, GBR now move up to fourth in the championship within striking distance of third-placed France. The first start of this morning’s Sprint race was aborted after a compacted grid had to brake late when pole-sitters Team South Africa appeared to slow around the final corner, causing a multi-car accident.

Team GBR was a victim of this as he went into the back of the USA car, damaging the front wing. The race was re-started 24 minutes later and GBR’s Oliver Jarvis, beginning from fifth, made a fantastic start, racing wheel-to-wheel with USA and moving up to third heading into the first corner. After South Africa sustained a puncture on lap three, Oliver was able to move up to second position.

Following a three lap safety car period GBR came under pressure from Switzerland, but Oliver defended well and passed the chequered flag in second position, collecting 12 points. Oliver made another very good start from fourth on the grid in the afternoon’s Feature race and headed into the first corner in a three-way battle with Switzerland and Canada, eventually slotting into third position. He fended off fourth-placed New Zealand on the opening lap and then held a strong third position until he made GBR’s first compulsory pitstop on lap nine.

On the way into the pitstop, New Zealand hit the British car from behind but luckily there appeared to be no damage. GBR lost a position during the pitstops and emerged in fourth behind Switzerland, Ireland and Canada. On lap 16 Oliver made a very good overtaking manoeuvre on Canada’s Robbie Wickens and retook third position. The team made its second pitstop on lap 34 and retained his third spot after the round of stops.

On lap 42 Switzerland was hit with a drive through penalty for a pitlane infringement and Oliver moved up to second position. He had a good battle in the closing laps with USA’s Jonathan Summerton but defended well, crossing the line in second and also collecting the extra point for the fastest lap of the race. With today’s results, the championship looks to be wide open once again with two rounds remaining in the 2007/08 championship.

Switzerland leads on 128 points with New Zealand 15 points adrift. France is third with 108 points and, following GBR’s successful day in Mexico, the British squad are just 13 points behind in fourth position. Teams will return to action in four weeks time in Shanghai, China, for the penultimate round of the series.

Oliver Jarvis: Sprint Race: "I’m delighted to get a podium for GBR. However I’m very unhappy about the first start and Zaugg’s driving standard - He accelerated then braked, which is something the leader is not meant to do as it creates a concertina effect behind as the other drivers don’t see the leader brake until the last minute and you end up with a large crash.

We were fortunate to get the car repaired and back out there again. There was a lot of pressure on the restart with everyone being a bit more cautious, but I had a good start and actually thought I was going to get the lead at one point as I was right up behind RSA but unfortunately ran out of road on the right and managed to hang onto third going into the first corner. From then on I kept behind NZL and I was really happy to finish second."

Feature Race: "We had a fantastic start and I really thought we could take the lead but the guys in front defended well. I managed to gain a place and was then held up by Canada so we decided to pit a lap later, but Canada and Ireland both had good pitstops so we lost a place. I made an opportunistic move on Canada going into turn 4 and fortunately managed to make it stick.

After the second stop, USA closed in on me and I had to push really hard. He came back very strong towards the end and I lost time behind back-markers, it was good close racing and fortunately I managed to hold the place. Obviously I would have loved a win in Mexico again, but I’m delighted to come away with second and a strong points haul for the team ahead of the last two rounds"

Katie Clements, Team Principal: "We were the highest scoring team this weekend with two podiums and a fastest lap in the Feature race and, as a result, we have moved up to fourth in the championship and are closing in on France. Although we would have loved to have achieved another win here in Mexico, we are nonetheless very happy with the results here today."

Channel Five will broadcast all the highlights from Mexico City at 01.20am on Monday 24 March 2008.

Round 9 of the 2007/08 A1GP World Cup of Motorsport takes place in Shanghai, China from Friday 11 to Sunday 13 April 2008.

A1GP Round 8 Sprint Race 1. New Zealand - 15pts 2. Great Britain - 12pts 3. Switzerland - 10pts Round 8

Feature Race 1. Ireland - 15pts 2. Great Britain - 12pts 3. USA - 10pts A1GP

Championship 1. Switzerland - 128pts 2. New Zealand - 113pts 3. France - 108pts 4. Great Britain - 95pts

A1 Team Great Britain is partnered by AquaSP, Playseats and Visit Britain.

– www.a1teamgbr.com  

- Victoria Henley -  photos A1GP
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