Strong qualifying for A1 Team Lebanon in Mexico

The Mexico City circuit, close to the capital city of this North American outpost, presented new challenges for A1 Team Lebanon with the technically demanding track, the heat and altitude testing the driver and car on qualifying day of the A1GP World Cup of Nations event which is being held this weekend. Jimmy Auby, a 21-year-old South African Lebanese racing driver is representing the nation for the first time here. In the morning practice session Auby finished 20th fastest.

He followed the planned programme of conserving tyres and continuing to gain track experience, using as much track time as possible to keep improving his pace and overall performance. The hour long session was also used b to refine the car set up for the track conditions today. In afternoon qualifying Auby was keen to improve his performance, despite his lack of experience.

A1GP qualifying with 15 minute ‘flying lap’ segments is new to A1 Team Lebanon’s new recruit but he quickly adapted to this style of grid setting, and put in four flying lap runs. He was the first car on track in the first of the four runs, and improved on his morning time to record 19th fastest lap, he backed this up with a similar lap time, to start in 19th position for the Sprint race.

The final two runs were used to set the Feature race and Auby used his remaining new tyres to put in two strong laps. The first segment produced eighth quickest time, but with many other cars improving on their second runs, the Lebanon team dropped down the order to finish 16th fastest, the team’s grid position for the main race of the weekend.

Auby said after qualifying, "I’m still learning in so many areas with A1 Team Lebanon and particularly working with the engineers, but I’m enjoying the challenge. The car feels very different on new tyres than the old ones, so I’m having to learn how to quickly adapt my driving to get the best from them with only a warm up ‘out’ lap before my flying one.

"I’m pleased with my Feature race qualifying position, but would have liked to have been a little higher up the order for the Sprint. But my focus now moves to the two races tomorrow and we’ll be hoping to perform well tomorrow for all the Arabs around the world."

Marcus Koch, A1 Team Lebanon Chief Engineer, commented, "Jimmy is working with, and learning from the engineers each track session. He is continuing to show improvement and today it was only his first A1GP qualifying, so we’re satisfied with our performance so far this weekend.

We’re very close to the French and Australian team’s times, so we should be able to challenge those nation tomorrow, and to be ahead of team’s such as Brazil and India is good. It’s our second best qualifying result of the season, and that’s a good effort from Jimmy on his debut."

The A1GP World Cup of Motorsport, Mexico City continues tomorrow with a 20 minutes Sprint race followed by the colourful pageant of the traditional A1GP drivers parade. The event climaxes with the main 70 minutes Feature race, which includes two mandatory pit stops.

Visit www.a1teamlib.com  to follow the progress of the team.

A1GP is a new, unique concept in international motor racing, with the 10 race series featuring national teams competing on an equal basis, racing identical cars with no electronic driver aids, leading to performance being determined by human bravery, skill and excellence. 

The Series travels across five continents through the winter months, with visits including Europe, Australasia, South Africa, North and South America.

- Alison Hill - photos A1GP
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