Practice day went well
Published on 18 November 2005 by Thorsten Hendriks
After today's events A1GP Team Netherlands is on top. Jos Verstappen drove a 1.56.342 during the first free practice session, this appeared a time which could not be beaten by any of the other drivers.
Both practice session were dry and warm. Halfway during the second session there was a threat of rain, but there were only a few drops. Setting the fastest time in Sepang is a good start of this A1GP weekend. Team Netherlands is hoping to continue the good work of today during tomorrow's third free practice and the qualifying session. Tyres will be very important as Sepang is a killer for tyre wear.
Jos Verstappen: "A first place at last. I know this circuit well and that might work in our advantage. I have had a couple of races here. The car feels good, especially on new tyres. When the wear sets in it gets a bit difficult, but that goes for all drivers here. It will be a very exciting qualification tomottow, as the tyres only last a couple of laps and then the grip goes down the hill rapidly. Very important this qualifying session, let's hope we do a good job and have 2 marvellous races."
Team boss Jan Lammers was very satisfied with today's efforts. Jan Lammers himself took part in the Pro Celebrity race in the Proton Satria GTI on the circuit. Jan clocked a fifth time, not bad at all. Just before the first outing he had a small problem when his fire extinguisher went off and Jan had to step over into the spare car.
Jan Lammers: "It's only Firday, but as racing driver you want to be up front. It is good to see yourself on top of the list and in the middle seat during the press conference. It is alway fun to tell a little success story and we have the same thing like all previous races, only now we can do it from the fastest pracitce time. Tomorrow will be very important concerning tyre choice. If you choose to go out on a new set of tyres in the morning than you are happy in the morning which looks good, and maybe be fastest again. The afternoon might be risky though. The two fastest times count but if you have a problem when you are out on a new set of tyres then you mess it up a little. If you have 3 new sets of tyres that would be excellent, you can go all the way in three qualifying laps. Today's efforts have pleased me. Team spirit is great, Jos is feeling great and the food is excellent. I haven't been on this circuit before, it was purely for fun that race. The car doesn't have a lot of power but as soon as I get in a race car I just want to go for it. I know now what Jos is talking about. Absolutely love this circuit".
Thorsten Hendriks
