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Auto GP champion Adrian Quaife-Hobbs keen to atone for Brazil error

Auto GP champion Adrian Quaife-Hobbs has vowed to make amends for his accident last time out in Brazil by winning at the forthcoming series finale in America

Quaife-Hobbs had led eventual Curitiba winner Antonio Pizzonia by over half a minute when he lost control entering the pitlane before a mandatory pitstop.

"[The crash] did happen, but we still won the championship," said Quaife-Hobbs. "I was 30 seconds ahead of Antonio following his stop, and I got the lead up to 35s. Unfortunately, I didn't make the pitlane, but I now have another two races to put things right."

Despite the unusual nature of the incident, the Briton has no regrets about his all-out approach to the Curitiba event.

"I felt, no matter what anyone else said, it wasn't so much about winning the championship that weekend but how we did it," said Quaife-Hobbs.

"After Portimao, and the gap we built up there, the title was effectively won. I didn't think there was any point entering Curitiba trying to score eight points over the weekend.

"We were there to win races - like in Portimao. I got out in the lead, but I made a mistake on the limit and it didn't quite go our way. We're still out to win every race. Sonoma will be no different."

An additional incentive is provided by Super Nova's bid to win the Auto GP teams' title. The Norfolk-based outfit was reduced to one car in Brazil, after regular 2012 driver Victor Guerin opted to race in a clashing GP2 meeting with Ocean Racing Technology.

Guerin told AUTOSPORT last weekend that he had yet to decide whether he would contest Sonomao for Super Nova or the clashing Singapore GP2 finale.

"Super Nova is leading the teams' title, and I absolutely want them to seal the crown because it would be another reward for their great job," added Quaife-Hobbs. "Besides that, I'm not happy about what happened in Brazil so I really want to close the season with a win, possibly two..."

Despite the crash, Super Nova boss David Sears remained delighted to secure the drivers' title in Brazil.

"We have won weird ones in the past, like in [International Formula 3000 in] 2002 with Sebastien Bourdais after Tomas Enge failed a drugs test," said Sears.

"I think for someone to perform at 100 per cent, 100 per cent of the time, is virtually impossible. [Adrian] hadn't made any mistakes all year and it was ironic when one of my old drivers ended up winning both races."

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