Hosts set pace as Kerr struggles

Great Britain were down in 14th place as USA set the pace in the first official practice session for their home A1 Grand Prix race at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.

Robbie Kerr’s best lap of one minute 19.905seconds was more than a second down on local hero Bryan Herta’s 1min 18.620secs.

Ireland’s Ralph Firman was eighth with 1:19.458, while Nicolas Lapierre put championship leaders France fifth in 1:19.176.

Mexico’s Salvador Duran was second quickest with 1:18.948 and Holland’s Jos Verstappen third in 1:19.085.

Herta, who lives in Valencia, Southern California, told a1gp.com: “It was a good session and a good start to the weekend.”