2007-08 A1 Grand Prix of Nations, Shanghai, China

A1GP race summary v2
country_

---

race=Shanghai, China
race no=9 of 10
season=2007-08
race_circuit=Circuit Shanghai.pngdate=April 13, 2008
circuit=Shanghai International Circuit
city=Shanghai
country=China
weather=Overcast
pole_

---

pole_team=Switzerland
pole_driver=Neel Jani
pole_time=1'34.163
sprint_1st_

---

sprint_1st_team=Switzerland
sprint_1st_driver=Neel Jani
sprint_2nd_

---

sprint_2nd_team=Canada
sprint_2nd_driver=Robert Wickens
sprint_3rd_

---

sprint_3rd_team=Portugal
sprint_3rd_driver=F.Albuquerque
FL_

---

FL_team=Switzerland
FL_driver=Neel Jani
FL_time=1'35.400
FL_l

pole2_

pole2_

---

pole2_team=Switzerland
pole2_driver=Neel Jani
pole2_time=1'34.172
main_1st_

---

main_1st_team=USA
main_1st_driver=Jonathan Summerton
main_2nd_

---

main_2nd_team=Portugal
main_2nd_driver=F.Albuquerque
main_3rd_

---

main_3rd_team=Ireland
main_3rd_driver=Adam Carroll
FL2_

---

FL2_team=Canada
FL2_driver=Robert Wickens
FL2_time=1'35.177
FL2_l

Class_pdf=http://www.forix.com/a1gp/pdf/2007/09_Shanghai,%20China.pdf__FORCETOC__

The 2007-08 A1 Grand Prix of Nations, Shangai, China was a A1 Grand Prix race, held on April 13, 2008 at the Shanghai International Circuit, Shanghai, China. It was the ninth meeting in the 2007-08 A1 Grand Prix season.

Pre-race

A1 Grand Prix make official the creation of an off-track entertainment, the A1GP Global Village, to complete, with the support series A2 Grand Prix, the race weekends next season [ [http://www.a1gp.com/News/NewsArticle.aspx?newsId=41100 A1GP launches Global Village] "a1gp.com" (April 02, 2008)] . The Global Village deliver extra entertainments and interactive activities, merchandise shops, eat and drink... for fans and spectators. An official web site is launched [http://www.a1gpglobalvillage.com A1GPGlobalVillage.com] . The first edition will be in the last event of this 2007-08 season, in May 2-4, 2007-08, Great Britain.

Like the past season, A1GP organize a vote for the fan's favorite 2007-08 A1 team [ [http://www.a1gp.com/News/NewsArticle.aspx?newsId=41143 Vote for your favourite A1 Team] "a1gp.com" (April 09, 2008)] . All A1GP fan, and other, can vote in the official A1GP site. The winning team, revelead at the A1GP's Gala Awards, on May 5, 2008, receive a special award.

Qualifications

Neel Jani (Switzerland) score the pole position for each Sunday races [ [http://www.a1gp.com/News/NewsArticle.aspx?newsId=41209 Double Swiss pole] "a1gp.com" (April 12, 2008)] . For the second consecutive venue, Mexico start from the back of the grid in each race because of bad performances.

Sprint race

For the Sprint race, Switzerland take the lead behind Canada, Portugal, Malaysia, India, Germany, South Africa, Italy, Great Britain and Ireland [ [http://www.a1gp.com/News/NewsArticle.aspx?newsId=41254 Shanghai Sprint: lap-by-lap] "a1gp.com" (April 13, 2008)] . New Zealand crash out at start after a collision with USA.
Cong Fu Cheng (China) passes Adam Carroll (Ireland) for 10th in Lap 4 when Neel Jani (Switzerland) score the Fastest lap. Despite efforts from Filipe Albuquerque (Portugal) on Robert Wickens (Canada) and from Michael Ammermüller (Germany) on Narain Karthikeyan (India), the order remin the same until the finish line.
Switzerland win the race with the Fastet lap. Canada take the second position behind Portugal, Malaysia, India, Germany, South Africa, Italy, Great Britain and China. Both Switzerland oponent for the title, France (12th) and New Zealand, doesn't score any points.

Main race

After the start, USA leads, ahead of Switzerland, India, Portugal, Ireland, Malaysia, New Zealand, Great Britain, France and Italy [ [http://www.a1gp.com/News/NewsArticle.aspx?newsId=41281 Feature race: lap-by-lap] "a1gp.com" (April 13, 2008)] . USA and Switzerland escape from the rest of the field until the first mandatory pit stops. In Lap 6, Filipe Albuquerque (Portugal) passes for 3rd Narain Karthikeyan (India) in the final hairpin. Adam Carroll (Ireland) try to pass Narain Karthikeyan in the same turn, one lap later, but finally passes him in Lap 8. In Lap 9, the pits are open.
USA, India, Malaysia, New Zealand and Canada pits early, in Lap 10 and Jonny Reid (New Zealand) with a fast stop, exits ahead Alex Yoong (Malaysia) and Narain Karthikeyan (India). USA lead still Switzerland after the stops but the Swiss driver, Neel Jani, lost the second gear of his car. In Lap 15, Jonathan Summerton (USA) is 4.3sec ahead of Switzerland losing time. In the next lap, for speeding in the pit lane, Lebanon receive a drive-through penalty, five laps then his driver receive a 10 seconds Stop and Go penalty. Portugal is now pushing Switzerland for 2nd position. Ireland close the both driver and New Zealand its also fastest than Switzeralnd and come near in the few next laps. The second pit stop window open in Lap 24.
Ireland and New Zealand get ahead of Switzerland at the pit stops. In Lap 27, Portugal get the Fastest lap. After the pits, USA still lead Portugal, Ireland, New Zealand, Switzerland, Malaysia, India, France, Great Britain and Germany. In Lap 33, Robert Wickens (Canada) get the Fastest lap.

The victory went to Summerton, who gives his country the honours for the first time. The Yanks' victory made them the 16th nation to win an A1GP race.

After race

Switzerland and New Zealand are the only team that can win the championship. Switzerland lead with 29 points the season before the last venue in Great Britain.

A1 Team Korea was announced to be part of the next season of the competition [ [http://www.a1gp.com/News/NewsArticle.aspx?newsId=41284 Korea joins A1GP] "a1gp.com" (April 14, 2008)] . The seat holder will be Joshua Kim of Omnibus Investment and Good EMG support the project. In Shanghai this weekend, a ceremony officialise the participation of South Korea in the 2008-09 season.

Notes

* It was the 31th race weekend (62 starts).
* It was the 3rd venue in Shanghai International Circuit and the 5th in China.
* It was the first race for Jorge Goeters [ [http://www.a1gp.com/News/NewsArticle.aspx?newsId=41144 Mexico switches driver] "a1gp.com" (April 09, 2008)] (Mexico), Franck Montagny [ [http://www.a1gp.com/News/NewsArticle.aspx?newsId=41112 Franck Montagny in for France] "a1gp.com" (April 05, 2008)] (France), Alexandre Negrao [ [http://www.a1gp.com/News/NewsArticle.aspx?newsId=41135 Negrao earns Brazil promotion] "a1gp.com" (April 08, 2008)] (Brazil).
* It was the first weekend as Rookie driver for Nathan Antunes [ [http://www.a1gp.com/News/NewsArticle.aspx?newsId=40526 Australia recruits new rookie] "a1gp.com" (March 09, 2008)] (Australia).
*Records:
** USA and Jonathan Summerton win their first race.
** Switzerland score 9 pole positions.
** Lebanon participate on 31 rounds (62 starts) without won points since their first Grand Prix.
** Neel Jani score 289 points.
**Jorge Goeters was the oldest driver to start a race at 37 years, 9 month and 18 days.
**Alex Yoong participate on 28 races (54 starts).

References

External links

* [http://www.a1gp.com/News/NewsArticle.aspx?newsId=41249 Switzerland closes in on title]
* [http://www.a1gp.com/News/NewsArticle.aspx?newsId=41254 Sprint race: lap-by-lap]
* [http://www.forix.com/a1gp/gp.php?l=0&d=201&r=20072117&c=0 Sprint race results]
* [http://www.a1gp.com/News/NewsArticle.aspx?newsId=41257 The home of the brave]
* [http://www.a1gp.com/News/NewsArticle.aspx?newsId=41281 Feature race: lap-by-lap]
* [http://www.forix.com/a1gp/gp.php?l=0&d=201&r=20072118&c=2 Feature race results]
* [http://www.a1gpglobalvillage.com A1GP Global Village] "A1GPGlobalVillage.com"