Qualifications – South Africa and Canada in the lead!

For the penultimate race of the 2007/2008 A1 Grand Prix season in Mexico, it is South Africa and Canada who will occupy the pole positions in the sprint and endurance races respectively.

On the Mexico City urban circuit, both nations have shown strength since the beginning of the weekend, 8th round. As for France, relying on Jonathan Cochet, its new driver, to win the 2008 title, did not pull off any feats and did not enter the top 10 even once. This is a bad omen for the championship tomorrow.

Mexico – Sprint Qualifications – Mexico City

South Africa delivered a very strong performance in its first two timed rounds, allowing it to start tomorrow at the head of the first race, ahead of New Zealand, always at the forefront, and the United States, finally posing a threat.

Switzerland currently leads the championship, 10 points ahead of France, who takes the fourth position with Neel Jani. Great Britain completes the top 5, a list that is, all in all, usual. Indeed, it’s an exception to the rule as France is not part of it, not even in the top 10.

The tricolor team has changed drivers for the last three meetings of the championship, with Loic Duval being unavailable. It is the very experienced Jonathan Cochet leading the A1, and not without difficulty. The Frenchman has certainly shown good overall performances in testing since Friday with regular top 5 finishes, but could do no better than 16th place today for race 1. It’s a disappointment when considering the objectives; catching up on the 10-point deficit to Switzerland in the standings…

The session was briefly interrupted by a red flag caused by the off-road excursion of Pakistan and the Netherlands, without any damage nevertheless.

Disappointment also for Germany, the reigning champion. Mickael Ammermuller can do no better than the 13th fastest time. It’s worse for Mexico, on home turf, as Salvador Duran is second to last!

See the Sprint qualifying results

Mexico – Endurance Qualifications – Mexico City

A bit like the previous session, most of the major motorsport nations are represented in the top 5. And just like the sprint qualifications, France with Jonathan Cochet does not make it into the top 10, falling victim to his lack of familiarity with the tricolor A1. France will therefore start 14th tomorrow in race 2.

It was Canada that secured the second pole position in its history. Robert Wickens is making more and more headlines and proved to be more threatening than the Swiss, leading by just 42 thousandths of a second!

Germany makes up for its poor result in Q1 and takes the third best time here, ahead of Ireland, New Zealand, and the USA. Portugal, China, and South Africa (in pole for the sprint qualification) complete the top 10.

Mexico once again delivered a poor result, with the 22nd and last time. At home, the team is struggling to find the right settings on the car and on a still very bumpy track.

See the results of the Endurance qualifications