19/01/2009
NEWS STORY
Cristiano Morgado, runner-up to Gavin Cronje in the inaugural Formula Volkswagen Challenge in 2008 and a former Rotax Max world karting champion, has been chosen to represent South Africa in the rookie session of this weekend's A1GP event at Taupo.
The 29-year-old from Durban, who is a former national kart champion and won the Rotax Max kart world championship in 2003, will drive South Africa's car, Vulindlela, in the rookie session on Friday morning.
Mike Carroll, general manager of A1 Team South Africa: "As we said when we chose Gavin Cronje to be the A1 Team South Africa rookie in Malaysia in November, we probably cannot send a clearer message to young aspirant South African race drivers who have as their goal to represent their country in the World Cup of Motorsport - win in Formula Volkswagen and A1 Team South Africa is almost certain to provide you with some sort of opportunity to demonstrate your ability.
"Anyone who watched Formula Volkswagen last year would have seen a very tight tussle for the title between Gavin and Cristiano. The two of them stood head and shoulders above the other competitors and at the same time were very evenly matched. Therefore we have decided to also reward Cristiano with the rookie seat for the New Zealand round."
Morgado is understandably delighted. "I'm grateful for the opportunity to represent my country in the A1GP World Cup of Motorsport. I feel very good about it and am looking forward to going to New Zealand for the first time."
"Consistent selection of the right athlete is important in sport but by the same token we cannot ignore the importance of supporting our grass root structures and the best way to do this is to reward those that perform at the highest level of that structure" commented Carroll.
"Following this double barrel reward it was our intention to revert to a level of consistency in selection, as always subject to performance, and this would have allowed the rookie at our home race to at least have also driven at the preceding rookie session in round five in Indonesia as preparation. Unfortunately, problems with the readiness of the Lippo street circuit have resulted in the round being cancelled and have thus put paid to this planning.
"Nevertheless, after New Zealand we will review the performances of Cronje, Morgado and Wesleigh Orr in prior rookie sessions and will evaluate them both physically and mentally in conjunction with the Sports Science Institute prior to hopefully conducting a final race driving evaluation."