A1GP postpones opening round

A1GP organisers have postponed the opening round of the championship, which was scheduled for Mugello on September 21, because of a delay in the build schedule of the new chassis

Steven English Aug 21, 2008, 6:23 PM

The new Ferrari-powered car is being introduced to the championship this season, but hit a setback when series bosses decided to delay the first group test, and redesign a suspension component, after development driver Patrick Friesacher was injured in a crash caused by its failure.

A1GP CEO Pete da Silva said: "It was always going to be an optimistic programme, but we were confident we could achieve it. This in no way reflects on the work undertaken by the technical team and our partners, it was due to circumstances beyond their control.

"We now have to concentrate on what we have ahead of us, rather than behind. We still have some great announcements to make and in the near future we shall be able to announce our full race calendar."

The opening round of the new season will now be held at Zandvoort on October 4-5, which was scheduled as the second event.