Team Australia reveals new driver lineup
As part of the review discussions are being conducted with a range of external parties with the aim of recruiting Australia’s best young talent with the chance to race on a global stage in the A1 Team Australia car.
Kick-starting the structural changes, A1 Team Australia today announced a new driver lineup for the next A1GP event at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez Circuit in Mexico City on March 25.
Long-time member of the team and rookie starter for four races this season, Ian Dyk, will now be given the chance to test his skills in the highest level of A1GP competition, while Karl Reindler will step aside and continue his work with the team from behind the scenes.
Taking advantage of Ian’s current A1GP rookie-driver status, he will take to the wheel for the Sprint and Feature races as well as the rookie sessions, giving him as much track time as possible and a potential edge over other nations.
Seat Holder for A1 Team Australia, Alan Jones, said “Ian is a great driver and his talent is well-recognized, so we hope that he takes this opportunity to step up to the plate in what continues to be a tough competition. Karl has played an important role in the team this season, most notably by securing a podium finish in Beijing in November, and he will continue to work with us as we grow and improve as a team.
“With only three races to go, we acknowledge that it’s very unlikely we will finish in the top five teams in the current season. However, we are fully committed to A1GP and our future in it, so we have decided to designate real track time to testing new drivers, and looking to build a solid future that Australian fans can continue to get excited about.
“We have always believed in A1GP’s philosophy of improving global motorsport competition by allowing our young up-and-comers, such as Ian Dyk, the chance to get real experience on-track and in the car. It is no secret that we have been plagued by a range of problems, some bad luck, and some that we take responsibility for as a team – now is the time to reassess our strategy and put our best foot forward for the future."