Firman: A1 GP will be quick

Varying conditions allowed the A1 GP technical crew to finalise a number of areas on the car and complete a 3500km engine programme.

John Wickham who is technical operations advisor to the new formula reported that the tyre wheel and brake sizes on the car have now been finalised and the engine programme has been completed without it missing a beat.

Firman commented: "The car is going to be a very quick car and will surprise a lot of people who drive it. Due to its speed and exceptional cornering grip, it will be very physically demanding to drive - far more than you might imagine. It will be a real challenge for the drivers."

One morning and one afternoon of the test were run in wet conditions and this too helped the team: "It was an added bonus to have rain so we could try the wet weather version of the Cooper tyre, which proved ideal," said Firman.

A second A1 GP car - in Lebanese national livery - was shaken down this week at Silverstone with Robbie Kerr at the wheel. The Lebanese team will be officially launched in Beirut on December 1.