Firman scythes through field to claim third spot

AI TEAM IRELAND scored their first podium finish of the inaugural World Cup of Motorsport when Ralph Firman produced a superb performance in the Feature Race of the A1 Grand Prix of Nations in Estoril, Portugal, to claim third position from 19th on the grid.

The Irish car scythed its way through the field, a combination of consistently quick lap times, good race strategy and excellent pit work enabling Firman to work his way into the top three. The earlier Sprint Race saw the Irish car damaged in a collision with Britain’s Robbie Kerr, necessitating a pit stop for a new nose section which dropped Ralph to finish 19th. In the Feature Race, however, a strong start saw Ralph take 11th place on lap 1, and then move up the field as others made their pit stops.

Once into the leading group Firman made his pit stop during the second of three safety car periods, the pit crew ensuring a quick stop maximised his track position.