Asian Motor Sports

A1 Team Netherlands official team mascot, the Hamster, was born last season at the A1GP race in Durban where the team had to borrow spare parts in order to get the orange car on the grid in time for the start of the Feature race. All across the A1GP paddock the expression ‘HAMSTEREN!’ (to borrow) was introduced…

At the start of the second A1GP season the Hamster was promoted to the position of A1 Team Netherlands’s team mascot and has traveled with the team to every race under the care of mechanic Gerben Provily. To protect the Hamster’s ears from the noise of racing, a custom set of ear protectors have been made so even the Hamster can get safely get close to the A1GP action.

During a race weekend the Hamster has got his own place high inside the team garage where he guards over A1 Team Netherlands. Of course the Hamster also accompanies the team onto the starting grid, taking his place on the A1 Team Netherlands car. But he can also show up anywhere on the grid – beware, you can suddenly have the Hamster standing right next to you. Don’t be afraid though, it probably won’t bite you….if you’re nice to him, that is.

Wherever the team goes, the Hamster is always present. When the team took a well deserved break from racing between the Sepang and Sentul races and travelled to the Thai island of Koh Samui, of course Hamster joined the team. When some team members decided to go scuba diving, the Hamster also went for his maiden dive, reaching a depth of 16 metres.

In the same week, the Hamster also went for a jeep safari, elephant ride and swimming underneath an 80 metre high waterfall. So it’s safe to say that the A1 Team Netherlands mascot is a very active little critter.

At the moment the Hamster is taking a Christmas break and hopefully will get some much needed winter sleep, so he’ll be ready when A1GP resumes racing at Taupo 21 Jan.

Cross Posted @ Full Throttle