2008–09 A1 Grand Prix season
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The 2008–09 A1 Grand Prix season was the fourth and final season in its short history. It was announced that Ferrari will be supplying the engines. All cars and official merchandise are contractually obligated to portray the slogan "Powered by Ferrari".
Ferrari will have an advisory role when it comes to chassis production, meaning that Ferrari themselves will not supply the chassis. The chassis will be based on Ferrari's championship-winning F2004.
A1 Team Ireland became the fourth A1GP champions, after a title battle which went down to the final round in Great Britain. Ireland won with 112 points, with team driver Adam Carroll taking five victories at Chengdu, Sepang, Taupo and the series finale at Brands Hatch during the shortened 14 race season. Three rounds were cancelled for a variety of reasons, beginning a disturbing trend with A1 Grand Prix which plagued the following season - the next season was cancelled altogether.
A1 Team Switzerland (95 points) whose driver Neel Jani took four wins, finish runner up at seasons completion, just three points ahead of A1 Team Portugal with their driver Filipe Albuquerque scoring 92 points to take a close third position after taking just the one win though the season.
Dutch pairing Jeroen Bleekemolen and Robert Doornbos each took a win to take A1 Team Netherlands to fourth position in the team standings with Fairuz Fauzy and Loïc Duval taking the remaining wins for A1 Team Malaysia and A1 Team France respectively.
Teams
During the 2007–08 Shanghai race weekend, it was announced at an official ceremony that Korea would be participating in the 2008–09 season.[1] Jung-Yong Kim of Omnibus Investment is the seat holder[citation needed], with Good EMG supporting the project. Carlin Motorsport ran the racing team.
On 29 August 2008, it was announced that A1 Team Monaco will be competing in season four. The joint seat holders were Hubertus Bahlsen, and former F3 and GP2 driver Clivio Piccione, who took on the driving duties.[2]
Two teams appeared in A1GP documentation throughout the season but did not race.[3] Wade Cherwayko's A1 Team Canada appeared on paper but the team failed to show for any races and Adam Khan[4] tested the A1 Team Pakistan car on a number of occasions but likewise did not travel to any races.
The 21 teams that started a race in the 2008–09 championship were:
New "Powered by Ferrari" car
On 11 October 2007, A1GP and Ferrari announced a six year collaboration on the new generation of A1GP cars. The new "Powered by Ferrari" car is a modification of the Formula One Ferrari F2004 chassis with a V8 Ferrari engine producing 600 bhp.[33] The car was officially revealed in Southern England, and driven for the first time by John Watson in an inaugural event in May 2007. Michelin supplied the tyres for the new car.[34]
The car was developed and tested over more than 5600 kilometres at Mugello Circuit, Fiorano Circuit, Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari, Circuito Guadix, Silverstone Circuit, Donington Park, Circuit Paul Ricard and Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours. Andrea Bertolini was the main test driver, but testing was carried out by Marc Gene, Patrick Friesacher, Jonny Kane and Danny Watts during the sessions at Silverstone Circuit.[35][36][37][38][39][40]
Off-season tests and car presentations
On August 2–3, 2008, the first press and public presentation of the A1GP Powered by Ferrari car was held on the TT Circuit Assen with former A1 Team Netherlands driver, Renger van der Zande.[41] Two weeks after, the car was presented in Rotterdam during the Bavaria City Racing Festival. The A1 Team Netherlands car was driven by Carlo van Dam.[42]
Pre-season tests of the new 'powered by Ferrari' car took place on consecutive weekends in September at Donington Park, Mugello and Snetterton.[43][44]
Rule Changes
A number of rules were changed for the 2008–09 season.[45]
- The four qualifying sessions were reduced in length from fifteen minutes to ten minutes each.
- Teams may now utilise a "joker" qualifying lap (from Malaysia onwards). In one of the four qualifying sessions the team may elect to utilise their joker – for the flying lap in that session, the driver is granted the availability of the PowerBoost button for the entire lap.[46]
- The Sprint Race has been increased from 19 minutes plus one lap, to 24 minutes plus one lap, as well as a mandatory pit-stop being added between laps four and eight, brought into effect starting in Malaysia.
- The Sprint Race now only scores the top eight positions: 10, 8, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1.
- Only the best 8 race weekends will count towards the championship. Both the Sprint and Feature race points from one event will be dropped by teams that race all 9 events. This is to ensure that teams that will miss Zandvoort due to the lack of cars, will still have a fair chance at the title.[47]
An update to the sporting regulations means that technical details of the fastest lap in any session (practice or qualifying) will be made available to all teams after the session ends.[48] This is to allow slower or weaker teams to learn how they can improve their own lap times, making the "field spread" that much smaller.
Several detailed changes to the Friday "rookie sessions" were released on 1 September 2008:[49]
- The age limit for rookie drivers (driver had to be younger than 25), has been abolished.
- Drivers who have competed in Formula One, GP2, the IndyCar Series, Formula Nippon, or the former Champ Car World Series cannot participate in the rookie session.
- Total track time is increased from 50 minutes to an hour.
- The gap between the two half sessions is increased from 10 to 20 minutes.
Season calendar
The season started at the Circuit Park Zandvoort, Netherlands on 5 October 2008.
Further timetable details were announced on 9 June 2008.[50]
On 21 August 2008, the Italy race at Mugello was moved back following a delay in the build schedule of the new chassis, and Zandvoort was named as the first race of the season.[51] A replacement date was not announced.[52]
Further timetable changes were announced on 26 August 2008. The Chinese round was confirmed to be held at Chengdu Goldenport Circuit, and swapped places in the calendar with the Indonesian round at Jakarta.[53] Subsequent to that, the Indonesian race was moved back further, to 8 February due to track construction.[53]
On 9 September 2008, Brands Hatch was confirmed as hosting the race in Great Britain at the end of the season. It was also announced that as a replacement date for the Mugello race could not be found, the race was removed from the season's schedule.[44]
According to a revised international FIA calendar issued on 19 December, the A1GP season finale is to be held at Interlagos on the weekend of 15–17 May 2009.[54]
Round 5 at Lippo Village, Indonesia was cancelled on January 16 due to the circuit missing a construction deadline, mainly caused by a heavy rain season.[55] The Mexican round was also moved back by one week, so as to avoid clashing with a Radiohead music concert, which was to take place in the baseball stadium inside the circuit at the original date.[56]
On February 17, 2009 A1GP Gauteng official preview reported that the Mexico City round was no longer to take place on the weekend of March 20–22 and a replacement date was being sought. eTicket.com.mx advertised the event as it should take place on the weekend of the 22–24 May, and was confirmed on March 31, 2009, subject to the FIA-stipulated changes to the Peraltada corner.[57]
On the 5th of March, the proposed Interlagos race was removed from the circuit's official calendar, presumably signalling an end to A1GP's plans to run a race meeting there.
On April 29, 2009, it was confirmed that the Mexican round was cancelled due to an outbreak of swine flu.[58]
| Round | Date | Country | Circuit | Sprint Winner | Feature Winner | Report |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21 September 2008 |  Italy
|
Autodromo Internazionale di Mugello | CANCELLED | Report | ||
| 1 | 5 October 2008 |  Netherlands
|
Circuit Park Zandvoort |  Malaysia
|
 France
|
Report |
| 2 | 9 November 2008 |  China
|
Chengdu International Circuit |  Ireland
|
 Portugal
|
Report |
| 3 | 23 November 2008 | Malaysia
|
Sepang International Circuit |  Switzerland
|
Ireland
|
Report |
| 4 | 25 January 2009 |  New Zealand
|
Taupo Motorsport Park | Ireland
|
Switzerland
|
Report |
| 8 February 2009 |  Indonesia
|
Jakarta Street Circuit | CANCELLED | Report | ||
| 5 | 22 February 2009 |  South Africa
|
Kyalami[59] | Netherlands
|
Switzerland
|
Report |
| 6 | 12 April 2009 | Portugal
|
Autódromo Internacional do Algarve | Netherlands
|
Switzerland
|
Report |
| 7 | 3 May 2009 |  Great Britain
|
Brands Hatch | Ireland
|
Ireland
|
Report |
| 24 May 2009 |  Mexico
|
Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez | CANCELLED | Report | ||
Standings
|
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References
- ^ "Korea joins A1GP". a1gp.com. 2008-04-14. Archived from the original on 18 April 2008. Retrieved 16 April 2008.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ a b "A1 Team Monaco joins A1GP". a1gp.com. 2008-08-29. Retrieved 2008-08-29.
- ^ "A1GP : The World Cup of Motorsport". Archived from the original on 2009-08-14. Retrieved 2009-08-11.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ "Khan to lead and race for Pakistan". a1gp.com. 2008-09-10. Archived from the original on 17 September 2008. Retrieved 2008-09-10.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ "2008/09, Chengdu, China, Rookies combined". a1gp.com. 2008-11-07. Archived from the original on 2009-08-14. Retrieved 2008-11-07.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ "2008/09, Sepang, Malaysia, Rookies combined". a1gp.com. 2008-11-21. Retrieved 2008-11-21.
- ^ "2008/09, Taupo, New Zealand, Rookies combined". autosport.com. 2009-01-23. Archived from the original on 1 February 2009. Retrieved 2009-01-23.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ "2008/09, Kyalami, South Africa, Rookies". a1gp.com. 2009-02-20. Archived from the original on 26 February 2009. Retrieved 2009-02-21.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ "2008/09, Algarve, Portugal, Rookies combined". a1gp.com. 2009-04-10. Archived from the original on 2009-06-10. Retrieved 2009-04-13.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ Index alandockingracing.com
- ^ [1] A1GP Press
- ^ [2] team-astromega.com
- ^ [3] A1GP Press
- ^ [4] A1GP.com
- ^ [5] A1GP Press
- ^ [6] A1GP Press
- ^ The new A1 Team Indonesia... performance-racing.se
- ^ [7] A1GP Press
- ^ [8] A1GP Press
- ^ a b "Italy launches new car". a1gp.com. 2008-10-02. Archived from the original on 6 October 2008. Retrieved 2008-10-02.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ Carlin to run Team South Korea car autosport.com (August 13, 2008)
- ^ [9] A1GP Press
- ^ [10] A1GP Press
- ^ [11] Paddock Talk
- ^ [12] A1GP Press
- ^ "A1 Team Monaco launches in style". a1gp.com. 2008-09-25. Archived from the original on 2 October 2008. Retrieved 2008-09-25.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ [13] A1GP Nieuw tijdperk Racing Team Holland
- ^ [14] A1GP Press
- ^ [15] A1GP Press
- ^ [16] A1GP Press
- ^ [17] A1GP Press
- ^ a b "Andretti Green Racing to run USA". a1gp.com. 2008-10-01. Archived from the original on 2 October 2008. Retrieved 2008-10-02.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ The new A1GP car a1gp.com (May 12, 2008 )
- ^ Michelin to supply A1GP a1gp.com (July 21, 2008)
- ^ New car gets first run out a1gp.com (May 27, 2008)
- ^ New car continues test programme a1gp.com (June 13, 2008 )
- ^ New car hits half season distance a1gp.com (July 07, 2008 )
- ^ Engine coverage a1gp.com (July 14, 2008 )
- ^ Wind tunnel testing for new car a1gp.com (August 01, 2008)
- ^ Faster than ever before a1gp.com (August 22, 2008 )
- ^ Assen gets a taste of new A1GP car a1gp.com (August 04, 2008 )
- ^ Dutch delight a1gp.com (August 19, 2008 )
- ^ Two major test sessions planned a1gp.com (June 09, 2008)
- ^ a b "The battle of the Brands". a1gp.com. 2008-09-08. Archived from the original on 10 September 2008. Retrieved 2008-09-09.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ a1gp.com. "Rule changes for new season". Retrieved 2008-08-11.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ "Teams to get joker qualifying lap". a1gp.com. 2008-11-21. Retrieved 2008-11-21.
- ^ "New points system for 2008/09". a1gp.com. 2008-09-29. Archived from the original on 1 October 2008. Retrieved 2008-09-29.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ a1gp.com. "The truth will out". Retrieved 2008-08-20.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ "Fortune Rookies". a1gp.com. 2008-09-01. Archived from the original on 2 September 2008. Retrieved 2008-09-01.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ "2008/09 schedule announced". a1gp.com. 2008-06-08. Retrieved 2008-06-09.
- ^ "A1GP delays start of Season Four". a1gp.com. 2008-08-21. Archived from the original on 31 August 2008. Retrieved 2008-08-21.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ http://www.a1gp.com/Circuit/circuitInfo.aspx
- ^ a b "Chengdu race announced". a1gp.com. 2008-08-26. Archived from the original on 31 August 2008. Retrieved 2008-08-26.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ [18][dead link]
- ^ "Lippo circuit fails build deadline". a1gp.com. 2009-01-16. Retrieved 2009-01-18.
- ^ "A1GP Mexico City date change". a1gp.com. 2009-01-16. Retrieved 2009-01-18.
- ^ "Mexico City to conclude A1GP season". autosport.com. 2009-03-31. Archived from the original on 2009-06-02. Retrieved 2009-03-31.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ "A1GP Mexico City cancelled". a1gp.com. 2009-04-29. Archived from the original on 3 May 2009. Retrieved 2009-04-29.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ "Gauteng to host A1GP". a1gp.com. 2008-07-21. Retrieved 2008-07-21.