With the crowd building by the hour here in Kyalami, the expectation from the Feature Race starting from 4th position was the obvious, a Podium.

On the start John Martin was boxed in and challenged the leading four cars with some attrition giving way to a move forward. After some excellent moves early we saw Team Malaysia collide with Team Ireland and then Team Malaysia colliding again with Team New Zealand. Martin was then racing in third place and gaining on the front two cars.

Settling into the race Rob Arnott Team Chief Engineer called Martin in for his first mandatory pit stop on Lap 7, at the same time Team Germany pitted in the second bay ahead of Team Australia. As Martin tried to exit and continue his race as planned, Team Germany arrived and failed to stop properly in their in their pit bay when Rob [Arnott] called Martin to stop after he released him to avoid any collision. The engine stopped when the anti-stall never engaged as he braked in that split second placed third at that stage of the race. Adam Gotch Team Manager called over the radio for the crew to rush to Martin’s aid and push start the car down pit lane. In the end they had to run the starter from the pit garage half of the pit lane for Martin to keep racing.

The Feature race hopes of a podium at that stage looked ominous as Martin pushed as hard as he could with a lap to the lead group. With another pit stop remaining there was some hope to gain a point and perhaps the fastest lap of the race. Neither would eventuate with a result of 13th position the best possible result in the Feature.

Alan Jones A1 Team Australia Seatholder: “I am very disappointed in the result. The anti-stall didn’t work as it is programmed to do as John braked to avoid a collision into the back end of the Team Germany car. The engine stopped. The German team was not due to pit until the next lap and that ended our chances to podium. John, the team and I feel the good work this weekend was taken away from us because of an electronic error and the team. We’ll analyse the data and look into the electronics of this new car”

John Martin: “I was watching Rob with the lolly pop and when he let me go all I saw was the German car in front of me so I braked and the engine stopped. The guys tried pushing me to restart and that didn’t work so they had to run half way down pit lane with the starter to get me going again. I had the best times over most of the race and was second fastest overall. We had Brazil covered and Monaco, all I had to do was to keep the car going as it was quick and running perfect. The boys worked hard this weekend for us and I thank them for that, just wish this wouldn’t happen and we got what we had planned for, the podium”