Firman hopes for Irish luck to change
Ex-Formula One driver Ralph Firman has paid tribute to his Ireland team, claiming they deserve a final flourish to the inaugural A1 Grand Prix season.
Firman heads into the penultimate round of the series at Laguna Seca in California this weekend down in ninth in the standings.
Despite the lack of results, Norwich-born Firman has been one of the regular pace-setters in A1GP and feels the time has long since passed for Ireland to be rewarded for their hard work.
Firman, whose crash in Mexico two weeks ago ruined yet another weekend, said: “I, along with the rest of the team, have been extremely frustrated with the results in recent races.
“It has been one thing after another, and it’s high time we saw a change in our fortunes. Everyone who watched the Mexico race saw how hard the guys worked to repair the car after the accident.
“The results have not been up to our usual standards and we have all been left hugely disappointed with how things have turned out.
“While obviously we have to reflect on things and learn from them, I can honestly say I think we are one of the best teams out here and we thoroughly deserve to have things work out this weekend.”
While Ireland have been short of results to celebrate this season, the same cannot be said of France, who should wrap up the title in California.
For a few hours France were crowned champions after the brief cancellation of this weekend’s races due to safety fears.
The event is back on, rekindling Switzerland’s slim hopes of overhauling their 32-point deficit, although the Swiss have an A1GP rookie making his debut at Laguna Seca.
Giorgio Mondini said: “Representing my country in this new series is a real honour and I’m so proud that we are in an excellent second position in the championship and in with a chance of winning.
“I have only driven the car for a few laps in Paul Ricard this summer at the test session.
“But I’m sure it’ll be a really interesting race and I’ll be doing everything I can to keep us in with a chance of the championship.
“I’ve been training very hard in preparation, especially for the demands of racing on an anti-clockwise circuit.
“I’m focused, relaxed and fit so I am feeling confident for this weekend.”
