Fauzy replaces Yoong at Malaysia
The news brings to an end the longest run of consecutive starts by any single driver in A1GP. Yoong, also A1GP’s most capped driver, has started the last 45 successive races, taking four victories in that period.
The team did not go into detail as to why the move had been made, but it did say that with Fauzy eligible for the Friday morning rookie session, it was hoped than an advantage would be gained by running the same driver all weekend. Previously this season, rookie Aaron Lim has supported Yoong by running in the rookie session.
‘New Zealand was a weekend that we would prefer to forget,’ explained Jack Cunningham, A1 Team Malaysia’s chief executive. ‘We are having a really awful time of it at the moment with bad luck playing such a part in New Zealand together with the hand injury that affected Alex in the main race.
‘We have a strong, capable and resilient team, and a team of some depth. Although Alex has driven in the majority of races, celebrating his 50th drive in A1GP in New Zealand, we are pleased to give Fairuz this opportunity to drive the Malaysian car again.
‘We will all be working to focus on our goals for Malaysia this weekend. We have shown our capabilities in the first two seasons and despite the setbacks of the past events our determination has never once wavered this season.
‘We are hoping that, with Fairuz being able to do the rookie session as well, we can boost our results, results that haven’t been anywhere near our expectations.’
Fauzy has been a member of the team since A1GP’s inception in 2005. He drove the series’ first ever race at Brands Hatch, and was capped three more times in the inaugural season. He drove in selected rookie sessions in Season Two, but this weekend will be his first race since the Sprint race in Sepang in 2005.
‘I have always been a big supporter of the team,’ said Fauzy. ‘Recently I have concentrated on my other racing programmes and have not been available. I am delighted to be back with the team and, for this particular event, to be able to take advantage of the remaining rookie session I am allowed to run in, followed by the remaining sessions this weekend.’