A1 TEAM USA 7th in practice at Mexico City

A1 TEAM USA’s Jonathan Summerton had the seventh fastest lap Friday in practice for the A1GP World Cup of Motorsport at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez.

“A1GP threw some curves at us by changing the track from last year and we responded well with productive changes to the ‘We the People’ car,’ “ Summerton said. “We concentrated on developing a very solid race car and we’ll use the remaining practice to work on a setup for qualifying.”

Summerton, of Kissimmee, Fla., ran 29 laps with a best of 1:21.942 on the reconfigured 2.53-mile track located in the heart of Mexico City. A1GP has added a chicane prior to a sweeping final corner and added a new section starting at Turn 4, which now turns left instead of right from the 2007 course, reducing it from 2.75 miles.

“The track is technically different than the one we finished second on in the Feature last year,” Summerton said. “It’s still a good track and the challenge to adapt is the same for everyone.”

A1 TEAM USA owner Rick Weidinger liked how the team worked together Friday.

“We operated at a high level,” Weidinger said. “We were efficient in recognizing what the car needed for the changes to the track and Jonathan put together good laps. We’re in a good position for qualifying and the races.”

Summerton will have one-hour of practice prior to Saturday’s qualifying, which begins at 4 p.m. EDT. The 20-minute Sprint and 70-minute Feature races are Sunday. Live streaming of qualifying and the races are available at www.A1GP.com.

For more information on A1 TEAM USA, visit www.A1TEAMUSATV.com. For more information on A1GP, visit www.A1GP.com.