Auto Trader NZ
Published 3 September 2020
Jonny Reid gave New Zealand motor racing fans plenty to look forward to with a storming drive from 10th at Taupo in January, to second in the A1GP feature race at China’s Zhuhai International Circuit last weekend.
A1 Team India’s Narain Karthikeyan gave his team its first ever A1GP race win, and South Africa’s Adrian Zaugg was third in the Feature Race.
The 30-year-old Indian driver, who started from third on the grid, took the lead from Reid during the second pitstop window on lap 29 and, despite a huge amount of pressure and some excellent racing from Reid, held off Black Beauty to the finish.
After starting ninth on the grid, Zaugg was under attack from Germany’s Michael Ammermuller during the last 10 laps, but kept third place.
The German finished fourth, ahead of the UK’s Oliver Jarvis.
Jarvis picked up a bonus point for setting the fastest lap.
Race winner Karthikeyan said his team has been working really hard at pitstop practices and did a really good job.
“Both the pit stops were excellent and we got ahead, but unfortunately I got stuck behind Pakistan on my out lap so I couldn’t push, but I came out just ahead of Jonny (Reid).
“There was a lot of pressure towards the end, but then his tyres went off, as well as mine, and then we were equal – after that I just got the job done.”
Reid was delighted with New Zealand’s teamwork.
“It was a fantastic team effort,” he said. “Obviously I’m very pleased to come from P10 on the grid and having struggled in qualifying to threaten for the win in the end.
“It’s a credit to the team. My in laps were good, my out laps were good, and there were a few mistakes from my side of the fence, so overall I’m very pleased with the whole team this weekend. Fantastic effort.”
Switzerland, which won the Sprint Race in which Reid finished 10th, has extended its championship lead to 79 points, 19 ahead of second-placed France on 60, closely followed by New Zealand just one point behind.
The championship takes a five-week break before heading to New Zealand for round five in Taupo, the first race of the New Year, on January 18-20.
