02/11/2006
NEWS STORY
Following feedback from fans and consultation with the 23 national A1 Teams, A1GP World Cup of Motorsport has conducted a thorough review of its sporting regulations.
With effect from the A1GP Beijing race, from 10 to 12 November 2006, the grid for the 70-minute Feature race will be determined by the finishing results of the earlier 20-minute Sprint race. The winner of the Sprint race will start the Feature race in pole position as in the 2005/06 season, simplifying the qualifying system and making the results more immediate to the fans in the grandstand.
Also in effect from Beijing will be a change to the eligibility of Rookie drivers and the Friday format. The Rookie session, to be held between 11.00 and 12.00 with a ten minute break midway, will now be open to drivers under the age of 28 or any driver from a developing motorsport nation (China, Greece, India, Indonesia, Lebanon, Pakistan and Singapore).
The new regulations will allow drivers and countries with little motorsport experience to come to terms with the powerful 550-bhp A1GP cars and challenging tracks, while the move to an earlier slot will allow teams more time to analyse performance in the sessions and optimise race set-up.
The Rookie session will be followed by the second official practice session open to all teams and drivers between 14.00 and 15.00.