Dutchman Jos Verstappen wins A1 Grand Prix in Durban, South Africa

Jos Verstappen of the Netherlands won the SA A1 Grand Prix, taking the lead on the final lap of the Durban Street circuit.

Jos Verstappen of the Netherlands won Sunday's South African A1 Grand Prix, taking the lead on the final lap of the Durban Street circuit having started at the back of the grid.

The veteran crashed in a last-lap attempt to win the earlier sprint race and had to weave through the field on the narrow beach-front circuit in the 40-lap feature.

Switzerland's Neel Jani had driven a smart race in which the safety car was deployed three times, but had brake problems in the final few laps, allowing Verstappen to make a bold overtaking move midway through the final lap.

"It looks like we always have problems in the race. I had no brakes at all in the last few laps.," Jani said. "When you have made a mistake it is bad enough, but when it isn't your fault it is even worse."

Portugal's Alvaro Parente was third, ahead of New Zealand's Matt Halliday who twice cut his way through the field in one of the more exciting drives of the day.

Halliday started the feature race in sixth, but led after the safety car was deployed to allow the removal of cars from the United States and Australia that had tangled in turn one.

After his pit stop, Halliday fought his way back into contention with a couple of passing moves in places no other driver was willing to venture.

South Africa's Stephen Simpson finished fifth, equalling Malaysia's Alex Yoongs record for the best finish at a home race.

(Source: News24, January 29 2005)

 

Read the latest A1 Grand Prix news on the 2007 Durban A1 Grand Prix in South Africa 2007 and the A1 Grand Prix 2008 in Durban South Africa.