High drama at A1GP

Both the sprint and feature races of today's A1GP in Durban ended under red flags following late accidents, but those drivers that managed to keep their heads reaped the rewards.

Switzerland, third in the championship behind New Zealand and France prior to today, took the win in the feature and third place in the sprint to establish themselves at the top of the order with just three races remaining.

Two safety car periods were called in the opening laps of the feature after the pack twice failed to make it through the first corner.

A midfield shunt at the first start resulted in chaos at turn one, with half the field brought to a standstill on the blocked track.

There was more drama at the restart, Australia's John Martin the offender on this occasion, his lunge tipping Germany's Michael Ammermuller into a spin that also collected Ireland's Adam Carroll.

The pack finally made it through turn one at the third time of asking and the order at the front remained unchanged for much of the race, with Switzerland leading from Canada.

Great Britain's Oliver Jarvis lost third place to France's Loic Duval at the second pit stops, but that was rendered academic when Wickens lost the back of his car in the dying stages and collected the Briton as he tried to recover.

A steady drive from Portugal's Filipe Albuquerque was rewarded with third behind France, while the race ended prematurely when home driver Adrian Zaugg slammed into Jeroen Bleekemolen of Holland to bring out the red flag.

In the sprint, Jarvis made a superb start from the second row to pass Brazil and New Zealand into the first corner.

Jarvis was hit by Reid as the Kiwi drifted wide on the apex, but survived both that scare and a brief dalliance with the rear of the Canadian car to emerge in second place, which he held to the flag.

The race ended under a red flag after Ammermuller ran into the back of Bleekemolen at the final corner.

Both cars were eliminated on the spot, but Bleekemolen was classified fifth on the lap count-back while Ammermuller was disqualified from sixth.

Switzerland now lead the championship with 118 points, 10 clear of France, who enjoy the same advantage over New Zealand.