Ireland: Brands finale a boost

The series finale has been brought forward to Brands with the cancellation of the round in Mexico due to the outbreak of swine flu.

Ireland lies just two points behind leader Switzerland, with Portugal another four back, and Carroll is glad to have the series end in Britain where he says the Irish team has always had strong support.

"It's unfortuante that Mexico can't happen, but for the championship to end at Brands couldn't be better for us," said Carroll. "We get some good support. Portugal wasn't bad, there were a few Irish flags knocking around - but then half of Ireland is down there!

"Last year we had some decent support and this is the closest thing we have to a home race, all our families and friends are turning up for this, so it's great to have it decided here."

But Carroll, who has won three times this year, claims it will be business as usual for the team, as far as the race weekend goes.

"We are going to turn up and do what we always do and that's try to get pole position and win," he said. "It's the only way to do it, you can't hold back now.

"It's a great position for the championship to be in, it's going to be extremely hard fought, like it has been all year. We just need to go and beat Switzerland and Portugal and come out on top."

Neel Jani has won a race at each of the last four events and says Switzerland will be doing all it can to continue that form to claim its second consecutive A1GP crown.

"It doesn't really change my approach to the weekend," Jani said. "In the end the aim was to be in front after this race weekend to make it easier in Mexico, so it's the same plan, just now we have to end up in front.

"I wouldn't want to win at all costs, because we all respect each other and we don't play dirty games on each other. But it has to be our aim to be in front of them."