Weather challenges A1 Team Lebanon in Malaysian A1GP event

A1 Team Lebanon completed the Sprint and Feature races at Sepang circuit, Kuala Lumpur in the fourth round of the A1GP World Cup of Motorsport today.

Khalil Beschir, driving for the team in Malaysia to capitalise on his experience of racing at the track in the inaugural season of A1GP last year, finished 17th in the Sprint and 19th in the Feature race. The weather for the Sprint race was hot, humid and sunny, resulting in challenging conditions for the field of A1GP drivers. Beschir made a strong start and by the end of the first lap he had improved four places to 17th. As the 10 lap race progressed Beschir was able to hold his position, lapping consistently and improving his times throughout the race. Finishing 17th, Beschir lined up on the ninth row for the start of the 35 lap Feature race.

The period between the two races gave the team an opportunity to review the car setup and prepare for the Feature race. Beschir took part in the traditional A1GP drivers ceremony, and shortly after this, rain arrived with thunder and lightning adding to the spectacle of the A1GP event, but also resulting in the Lebanese team needing to revise their race strategy. The storm delayed the start of the race and when the rain had abated, the field lapped under the pace car at the green flag until three laps of the circuit had been completed and conditions were safe enough for the A1GP cars to race at full speed. Beschir, with limited visibility from spray created by cars ahead, drove wisely in the initial laps and at half distance came into the pits for the mandatory stop.

The A1 Team Lebanon crew gave Beschir his four new tyres in a quick pitstop and the young driver returned to the track for the second segment of the race. Beschir drove steadily to the chequered flag, finishing in 19th place.

Beschir said after the Feature race, "I had two extremely different races today. The first one challenged me with the heat and humidity, while the Feature race was very tough with the track being waterlogged in places, and slippery for most of the lap. I could hardly see ahead of me at the start so I was very cautious at the beginning of the Feature race. I was pleased to have improved on my start position by the end of the Sprint race."

Tony Snook, Team Principal, A1 Team Lebanon added, "We’re pleased that Khalil completed the two race distances today in very difficult conditions, especially the Feature race which was run in atrocious weather and particularly as it has been a year since his last racing outing in the A1GP car."

The A1GP World Cup of Motorsport heads to Sentul Circuit, Indonesia in two weeks time for the fifth round of the 12 race Series. The event, from 10 – 12 December is a return visit for A1GP and promises to deliver more exciting race action for the local motorsport fans and for the millions of TV viewers around the world.

- Alison Hill -

Photos on automobilsport.com under PHOTOS - A1GP