Vulindlela scores A1 podium
13 December 2005
Team South Africa recorded their best ever result in the A1 Grand Prix series, finishing third in Sunday's feature race in Dubai.
"This is just great for everyone at home, and in the build-up for our home race in Durban," said driver Stephen Simpson.
It is the team's first podium finish.
Front of the field
"Words can't describe how I'm feeling to come from twelfth to third," Simpson said. "The team did a great job. It's great to be able to keep up with the front of the field.
After dodging a first-corner collision and making an early pitstop, Simpson found himself at the sharp end of the field. Driving the the "best race of his life," he overtook Lebanon's Basil Shaaban and Nicholas Lappierre of the series leading French team.
This put the South African car Vulindlela in second place behind Team Great Britain.
Fight for position
After holding off the
more experienced Lappierre for a number of laps, Simpson eventually had to give up his position. Lappierre went on to win the race.
"When Nicolas came up behind me, I knew I was going to be able to give him a run for his money," Simpson said. "The last few races have been quite difficult, and A1GP is so close and it's getting closer all the time.
The result moved Team South Africa into 14th place in the championship standings, currently led by France.
'Brilliant result'
"My goal here was to score points, so this is a brilliant result for the team, and the hard work paid off. Our pace in the first race was good, and we only made a few changes before the feature race, it really was a team effort," Simpson said.
Seat holder Tokyo Sexwale congratulated the 21-year-old driver and said the team had worked hard for their success. "We have shown that South Africa can compete with the best in the world," Sexwale said.
The A1
Grand Prix series takes a recess over Christmas before reconvening in Indonesia on 15 January.
Durban will host the only street race on the A1 calendar on 29 January.
SouthAfrica.info reporter
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