11/01/2008
NEWS STORY
Willi Weber's A1 Team Germany had a made-to-measure December and now targets its next success in the A1GP World Cup of Motorsport at the fifth round in New Zealand on 20 January. Last time out on 16 December in Zhuhai, China the team celebrated its first victory of the season with Michael Ammermüller, and the team's tenth victory in total.
At the same time Nico Hülkenberg, who led the team to the title as driver last year, was appointed as test driver in Formula 1 – great recognition for the team's youth policy. With Christian Vietoris racing for the team in New Zealand the 18-year old "star of tomorrow" that also started the 2007/2008 season returns to the cockpit.
"December was definitely our dream month of the current season," sums up Willi Weber. "Michael Ammermüller scoring our first victory of the season showed that we haven't forgotten how to win. To fully exploit our potential we announced during the first third of the season that we would no longer rely on just one driver. Michael did a great job for us, now it's time for Christian Vietoris to take over the controls again. I expect that he can continue our successful streak with more podium finishes."
In contrast to Ammermüller, Vietoris already knows the circuit in Taupo on New Zealand's North Island. "I made my debut in the team there last season and was able to complete one of the Rookie test sessions," remembers the racing driver from Gönnersdorf in the Eifel region. The race turned out to be a complete success for A1 Team Germany: Pole position, wins in both the sprint and feature race and fastest race lap for the then team driver Nico Hülkenberg signalled the start of a strong charge for the outfit which was eventually rewarded with the championship title.
"I worked on my fitness in the winter and recharged my batteries during the break in the race schedule," said Vietoris after the winter break. "At the start of the season our pace in the practice and qualifying sessions was usually good, however we were unable to convert it into solid results on race day. I now aim to change this and finish on the podium in Taupo." Qualifying will be of particular importance around the slightly changed 3.5 kilometre circuit, which is situated at the foot of a picturesque volcano.
"On the old circuit, there were hardly any places to overtake, which is why the grid position is half the battle. I'm already looking forward to the challenge," added Vietoris.