ELECTRONIC FAILURE DEPRIVES HO-PIN TUNG OF A POINTS FINISH
2009-02-22
A1GP-race in South AfricaIt is with mixed feelings that Team China-driver Ho-Pin Tung looks back at this weekend’s two A1GP-races in South Africa. In the Sprint race as well in the Feature race the young Chinese started in his familiar fashion, like a rocket. In both races he gained several positions in the earliest stages of the race. In the Sprint race he fought hard battles with New Zealander Earl Bamber and German representative Ammermüller. At the end of the Sprint race Ho-Pin managed to pass the team Germany driver and finished 13th.
In Sunday’s Feature race he started from 12th position on the grid and after one lap Ho-Pin was 10th and stuck behind Dutch driver Bleekemolen. Ho-Pin Tung made a small detour, because of pushing too hard on the least competent set of tyres. After the first pit stop he fought his way up to 8th position when an electronic failure deprived him of a fair chance to finish in the points. The motor management system turned to the safe mode, which meant that Ho-Pin had to bring the car to the pits in first gear. The team, with the help of Ferrari experts, tried to reset, but after only one lap on the track, the system failed again. This was the end of the race for Ho-Pin Tung who had the chance to score points for China.
‘For everyone in the team this is disappointing, the team had done an excellent job and had prepared a quicker car for me. I was able to push hard and to attack. When you are competitive and a technical problem spoils the party, yes that is disappointing for everyone,’ explains Ho-Pin right after the race. He adds: ‘At the same time everyone of us is convinced that Team China is so competitive now that we are ready to claim regular top podium positions. Next race in Portugal I hope to demonstrate we are ready, the car is quick and so am I, our lap times proved that today.’
