Duval tops Taupo rookie session 1

The Formula Nippon frontrunner was well clear of the chasing pack in the DAMS-run car, but blotted his record in the dying minutes of the session when he took the nose off his Lola following a bumpy run across the gravel after he took too much kerb into the final turn.

Team Canada's James Hinchcliffe also spun at the same place - without damage - and he ended up second quickest. Williams Formula 1 tester Narain Karthikeyan was an impressive third fastest for Team India in his first ever run in an A1 car.

Despite the late completion of redevelopment work, preparation standards were high at the Taupo track, although its tight layout means there are few possible overtaking spots.

This could prove to be a problem in the feature race particularly as a whopping 12 seconds separated Duval from tailender Nur B Ali in the Team Pakistan car.

Former DTM race winner Marcel Fassler was fourth fastest for the Swiss team on his A1 bow. Fassler had been scheduled to drive in Bejing prior to the track problems encountered there.

Wade Cunningham was fifth for the home team, but with a big crowd predicted for race day, more will be expected from team regular Jonny Reid when he gets in the car for the official practice session later in the day.