A1 Team New Zealand


A1 Team New Zealand is the New Zealand team of A1 Grand Prix, an international racing series.

Management

The team was formed by and is owned by prominent Auckland businessman Colin Giltrap, well known for this car dealerships. The team is managed by Kiwi Bob McMurray who retired last year after nearly 30 years involvement with the McLaren Formula One racing team. The car is run by David Sears' organisation, Super Nova Racing, as is the A1 Team Germany car, meaning that the two teams are often thought of as one. Prior to Super Nova's involvement, the car was run by West Surrey Racing, a British organisation run by New Zealander Dick Bennetts which fields the Team RAC cars in the British Touring Car Championship.

History

[2008–09 A1 [Grand Prix season|2008–09 season]]

Driver: Earl Bamber, Chris van der Drift
Team New Zealand shocked the A1 paddock by revealing 18-year-old Earl Bamber as their main driver for the race in Zandvoort, even after the success of Jonny Reid in previous seasons. Bamber however, went on to record two podium finishes at a rain-soaked Zandvoort. However, van der Drift had less success in Chengdu, China, only scoring two points in the Sprint Race and just missed out on points in the Feature Race.

2007–08 season">2007–08 A1 Grand Prix season">2007–08 season

Driver: Jonny Reid
Again, Team New Zealand challenged for the championship, but lost out at Great Britain to Switzerland. The team recorded 4 victories and 2 podiums.

2006–07 season">2006–07 A1 Grand Prix season">2006–07 season

Drivers: Matt Halliday, Jonny Reid
Team New Zealand were championship challengers this season, but even with 3 victories and 8 podiums, lost out by 35 points to Germany.

2005–06 season">2005–06 A1 Grand Prix season">2005–06 season

Drivers: Matt Halliday, Jonny Reid
In the inaugural season, Team New Zealand scored consistently, as well as a podium, to finish 4th in the championship.

Drivers

NameSeasonsRaces
A1GP TitleWinsSprint
wins
Main
wins
2nd3rdPolesFastest
Laps
Points
Earl Bamber2008-091 1118
Matt Halliday2005-06, 2006-0713 3103
Jonny Reid2005-06, 2006-07, 2007-0819 7435344219

Complete A1 Grand Prix results

, "spr" indicate a Sprint Race, "fea" indicate a Main Race.