A1 Team Malaysia has selected Fairuz Fauzy to pilot the team’s car in the opening round of the A1GP World Cup of Motorsport Powered by Ferrari, which takes place next weekend in Zandvoort, Netherlands.
Fauzy tested the car two weeks ago at the Donington circuit in the UK and it was the first run for the newly built car. After three seasons of racing with the original Lola-Zytek package, a new car has been introduced to the Series. With design consultancy and an engine package from Ferrari, the all-new racer was delivered to A1 Team Malaysia late last month and the crew has been working hard to prepare it for the new season.
The Donington test was an initial shakedown for the car, with Fauzy being given his first run to check all the systems. Following this the Malaysian driver was able to start working with the team to develop the car set up. Working closely with the team’s new Chief Engineer, Alan Mugglestone, Fauzy began to get to grips with the new A1GP machine and the pairing quickly established a healthy rapport.
Fauzy says of opening the season for the team, “I’m pleased to be given the nod for the drive at Zandvoort. I really enjoyed driving the car earlier this month and it has whetted my appetite for the season ahead. It’s very much a 21st century car; it is a step forward, with improvements all round – brakes, engine power, handling – all the features that a racing driver wants to be top quality. I’m sure the competition will also be very strong, with teams fielding highly experienced drivers. With the high level of drivers, a new A1GP car and a grid of battling nations I think we can expect a very competitive season ahead.”
Jack Cunningham, Chief Executive, A1Team Malaysia adds, “Fairuz showed us that he has the motivation and commitment that we need this season and after a highly successful test at Donington, he is the obvious choice of driver for Zandvoort. We have only been allowed two days of testing, so we need to use this experience to our best advantage at the first event. Fairuz settled in very quickly on his return to the team, and it was good to see him working so well with Alan and the other team members. Our focus is now on preparing for the first round of what promises to be an exciting season.”
Fauzy has raced with A1 Team Malaysia in the first and third seasons of A1GP, with ten caps during this time. During the summer the Malaysian has been racing in the World Series by Renault, a European racing championship, and has scored a podium and a pole position so far this season. This weekend he travels to Estoril, Portugal for the penultimate round of the series before his 2008/09 season debut with A1 Team Malaysia.
