16/01/2008
NEWS STORY
A1 Team Switzerland is ready to return to action this week at the fifth round of the A1 Grand Prix season in Taupo, New Zealand determined to pick up where it left off at the end of 2007 at Zhuhai and build on its 19 point lead over France in the championship. Neel Jani will again be leading the team's weekend and be supported by rookie driver Tom Dillmann.
There is one major change as A1 Grand Prix gets back up to speed, however, since all teams will be running their 3.4 litre V8 engines on biofuel for the first time as part of the sport's efforts to reduce its carbon footprint.
"After over a month away from racing I can't wait to get back behind the wheel," said Neel Jani. "We have been very competitive so far this season and are working together really well as one team. I'm looking forward to getting back on the track and driving on the Taupo circuit for the first time. I can usually learn a circuit very quickly so with the team's data from last year. I expect we will be very competitive again as we fight to build our lead in the championship This is sort of a home track for me because two of my aunts live here in Auckland and I hope to see all my Dad's family here on the occasion of my visit out here."
Max Welti, team principal of A1 Team Switzerland comments, "It's been a long break but what better way to get back in action than in such a beautiful country as New Zealand. We will use biofuel for the first time this weekend, an initiative we support fully since we, as a sport, are determined to minimise our impact on the environment. Our team is eager to get back to what we do best and Neel and Tom will be working hard to help us build our lead in the championship."