07/04/2008
NEWS STORY
Willi Weber's A1 Team Germany is going to the penultimate round of the A1GP World Cup of Motorsport in Shanghai with better prerequisites than lately. The current defending champion team from Germany as well as the driver contesting the round, Michael Ammermuller, are intimately familiar with the Chinese circuit. For the sixth time this season, Ammermuller will represent the colours of his nation from 11 to 13 April.
At his two previous runs, the 22-year-old racer from Pocking had suffered two setbacks on the circuits in South Africa and Mexico – both of which were new to him – when he became the victim of two starting crashes. After this experience, his motivation to score better results is even stronger and he is looking forward to the Shanghai circuit, where he last ran in the 2006 season, with even greater anticipation. "At that time, I was the Friday test driver in Formula 1," says Michael Ammermuller. "We used the entire circuit then, while A1GP last raced on a shorter version with an additional chicane." Generally, Ammermuller, who clinched his first A1GP victory in China at the circuit of Zhuhai in December, has higher expectations of the modern Shanghai circuit than of the previous race tracks on the calendar. "Shanghai has many fast turns, which suit us better than the slow corners. Also, the track surface of this modern facility is very even, while at our last outing in Mexico and on the city street circuit in Durban we did have some problems on the bumpy tarmac."
Willi Weber, as well, is hoping that Shanghai will bring an upswing. "We're still the current champion team," states the motorsport manager from Stuttgart. "And, in view of certain recent developments, we could retain this role at Shanghai, as it looks like the title will only be decided at the finale. Unfortunately, we're no longer a contender in the title fight after Michael, at the last round, was the victim of a starting accident for the second time in a row. I'd therefore like to see us achieve the best possible single results at the two remaining race weekends. The team has clinched three podium finishes this season, including two victories. So, why shouldn't we be able to move forward again towards the end of the season?"