PaddockSpy-Grand Prix Blog

The first round is at the seaside circuit of Zandvoort, set in the sand dunes of the Dutch coastline. The 2.5km Circuit is a firm favourite of the drivers, not least for its challenging nature, but also for the passionate Dutch fans who show their support vocally and colourfully for their nation. The circuit gained popularity because of its fast, sweeping corners such as Scheivlak as well as the "Tarzanbocht" (Tarzan corner) hairpin at the end of the start/finish straight. Tarzanbocht is the most famous corner in the circuit which always provides plenty of overtaking action.

Prior to making its race debut, ‘Garuda’, Satrio and the technical team will run the new car for the first time at a shakedown test at Snetterton race circuit in the UK. This will be the first opportunity for A1 Team Indonesia to put their car on the track to check all the systems, engine, and initial car setup.

The Indonesian car has undergone a new paint scheme during the off season, courtesy of a competition for Indonesian fans to design a new livery for their nation. The wining design features the Indonesian Garuda Bird, which is also the new name for the Indonesian car. The new design will be showcased for the first time this weekend at Zandvoort.

A1 Team Indonesia driver Satrio Hermanto comments ahead of the race weekend, “I’m really looking forward to getting behind the wheel of the Indonesian A1GP car, I’ve heard a lot of good things about the new car and can’t wait to sample the power of the Ferrari engine. We have the test session in the UK this week before the cars travel over to Zandvoort. Even though it means we have a quick turn around before Zandvoort, it will actually be quite good because everything will be fresh from the test. We can hopefully carry the momentum through from the two days at Snetterton and use it to our advantage at Zandvoort.”

Bagoes Hermanto, Team Principal, A1 Team Indonesia adds, “This season we see a lot of changes in A1GP, new teams, new cars, new venues and new rules, which will spice up the racing and add a new dimension to the series. However we are pleased that we have managed to maintain a level of continuity within the Indonesian team for the forthcoming season. We will retain the talents of Satrio Hermanto, our driver, who ended last season with a tremendous points finish for the team.

“The new car will create a challenge for the team and Satrio, we have experience of the Zandvoort circuit from last season, but we will have to start from scratch gaining data with the new car. We are hoping that we will have a strong start to the season and gain valuable experience of the new car for the rest of the season.”

The A1GP series has made no secret of its car build delay, and this has impacted on the number that will be on the grid at the Dutch seaside resort track. The series plans to have all its nations on the grid for the second event of Season Four, A1GP Chengdu, China on 7-9 November.

The cars will take to the track for the first time on Saturday morning for the first of two practice sessions, before the qualifying session in the afternoon. On Sunday the Sprint race will take place at 11am (local time) before the longer Feature Race at 3pm (local time).

sources; www.a1gp.com