Lapierre tips France to improve

The DAMS-run outfit dominated the first season of A1GP, but they failed to score a victory in the 2006/7 campaign.

Lapierre left the team at the end of 2006 to concentrate on his GP2 commitments, but he was back in action at the first pre-season test at Silverstone on Tuesday, where he set the fastest time in the morning session.

"I think the team is better than last year," he said. "They are pushing hard and we want the title back.

"When you have won the title, to lose it is not good. But I think we will be in better shape this time."

Lapierre handed the car over to Nicolas Prost and Jean-Karl Vernay in the afternoon session. He believes that the competition at the head of the field will be stronger than in the past two seasons.

"Looking at the drivers we have here, it looks like the competition is going to be very strong this year," he added. "But I think we will have a very strong season."

Lapierre won six races during the first season of A1GP, when he shared the driving duties with Alexandre Premat.