Asian Motor Sports

A1 Team Indonesia were unable to capitalise on the strong running that the team had achieved in practice and qualifying, with retirements from both races at the A1 Grand Prix of Nations in South Africa today. Although Ananda Mikola (reigning Asian F3 Champion) was unable to take the checkered flags, he showed his qualities as a tough, fast racer with a competitive pace.

A1 Team Indonesia lined up in 11th place for the Sprint race after yesterday’s qualifying session. The start was delayed for race officials to improve the catch fencing safety, but when it finally got underway Mikola’s worst fears came true when he was hit from behind, sliding him sideways and pushing him into the tyre barriers at the first corner hairpin bend. With extensive damage to the car, Mikola retired from the race.

The Indonesian car was stranded out on track during the Sprint race and only returned to the garage less than an hour before the Feature race, so the team had to work hard to repair the damage in time for the start. Racing against the clock, the crew were able to complete the work needed on the car and Mikola was able to join the pack of A1 cars within seconds of the green flag waving for the start of the race.

Pitting early with the front runners, Mikola rejoined the track in 20th place and improved his position as the race progressed and the young Indonesian driver was lying 18th behind A1 Team Indian. Unfortunately the less experienced Team India driver braked hard and early for the hairpin giving Mikola no choice but to brake hard himself to avoid the car, but in the process he slid into the tyre barriers and out of the race.

Mikola said after the two races:

“My luck ran out today. In the Sprint race there was nothing I could do, I was just punted off the track. And then in the second race, the India driver just put the brakes on much earlier than normal without looking in his mirrors, so I couldn’t avoid him. It was particularly disappointing because the crew had worked so hard to get my car ready in time for this race and I really wanted to finish this Durban street race.”

Owen Leed, Commercial Director for the team added:

“We had such a strong start to the weekend and it was a shame that we weren’t able to continue this level of performance through to the races, with Ananda not having the chance to race the distance. But we all knew that the street race would be a bit of a lottery, and for us, it proved not to be a winner. We’ll put this one behind us and now focus on our home race in Indonesia in two weeks time.”

Mikola will return to his home track in Indonesia for the next round of the A1GP of Nations to be held from 10 – 12 February. The event takes place at Sentul Circuit, a 3.9 kilometre track with 11 turns and promises to be another weekend of action-packed racing.