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A1 Team Indonesia has confirmed that Zahir Ali is going to be given another chance to impress by racing this weekend in Portugal.

As first revealed by A1GP.com last month, team officials were so impressed with Ali’s debut in South Africa, that they were already planning to give him another chance this season. And that chance will come immediatedly, at this weekend’s Vodafone A1GP Algarve.

The 21-year-old secured Indonesia’s best finish for more than 36 races with ninth place in the Feature race in Gauteng, a mature and assured drive from someone who, until that point, had extremely little mileage around at the Gauteng circuit. The team had rested regular driver Satrio Hermanto to give Ali his shot

“Looking at his excellent performance at the last race I think Zahir deservs another chance to drive for the team,” said A1 Team Indonesia Team Principal, Bagoes Hermanto.

“I hope Zahir can optimise his chances to grab another points score for the team. I also hope that the driver rotation strategy will result in a better team performance in the remaining races and shorten the process of the team’s evolution into one of the best on the grid.”

Since A1GP Gauteng, Ali has been testing a Formula Renault V6 race car in China in a bid to help him get used to carbon fibre brakes, similar to those in an A1GP car. He completed over 200 laps during his two days of track time.

source: ww.a1gp.com