Qualifications – Is Switzerland already crowned?

The A1 Team Switzerland took a big step towards the 2007/2008 title today by securing pole position for both races tomorrow in China in Shanghai.

For the penultimate meeting of the third season of the A1 GP, Néel Jani was the most perceptive. Despite hopes of shining for Franck Montagny, the new driver for the French team, due to his good first time in the free practice 3, he is not in the top 10.

China – Sprint Qualifications – Shanghai

Néel Jani took pole position by nearly half a second ahead of Albuquerque. The Portuguese is far behind the Swiss, but achieved a very good performance by even beating Canada and Robert Wickens, an in-form driver.

Karthikeyan, back with the Indian team, also delivers a strong performance with his 4th fastest time. He surpasses New Zealand to complete the top 5.

Germany is only 9th, just ahead of Great Britain and South Africa; yet three nations are usually in the top 5. The French result is even worse with only the 18th time achieved by Franck Montagny for his first qualification in the A1 Grand Prix.

At home, Francky Cheng, who was also taking part in his first A1 qualifying session, finds himself 15th in front of his audience.

See the results of the Sprint qualifications

China – Endurance Qualifications – Shanghai

In the second part of the qualifications, Jani reiterated the pole position to outpace the USA this time. Summerton took advantage of a clear lap to achieve a very nice time. He outpaces Portugal, once again well placed with Albuquerque, and Ireland. Karthikeyan takes the 5th position.

Among the top 4 teams in the A1 GP, New Zealand, Great Britain, South Africa, and France rank from 7th to 10th; promising a very exciting start tomorrow in race 2.

Canada; third earlier was blocked in traffic. Wickens is only 12th. At home, the Chinese Cheng is only 20th.

See the results of the Endurance qualifying sessions

In other words, its results seem to definitely close the debates on the future champion of A1 GP 2007/2008. Switzerland in pole position can win the title as early as this weekend. If that’s not the case, 7 other teams can still win the title, although France is no longer among the outsiders…