A1 Team Indonesia had two good finishes in the season finale of the 2008/09 A1GP World Cup of Motorsport with Satrio Hermanto returning to the driving seat for the last two races at Brands Hatch circuit, Kent, Great Britain. Satrio finished 12th in the Sprint race and 13th in the Feature race.

Satrio started the Sprint race in ninth position, following a superb effort in qualifying yesterday. With many experienced racers around him the Indonesian driver was challenged hard and with 18 laps ahead of him, he was forced to back off, dropping to 11th place. After the mandatory pitstop Satrio was back racing, lying 14th after the team had a delayed pitstop. The New Zealand car, in the adjacent pit garage, had pitted without prior warning to the team, just as Satrio was trying to enter his pit box and as the New Zealand mechanics ran out Satrio had to swerve to avoid hitting them. This resulted in a delay for the team and dropped him two place. However, he regained two positions by the chequered flag, crossing the line in 12th place, his best Sprint race finish of the season.

The start of the Feature race produced plenty of drama, a feature of the close wheel-to-wheel racing of A1GP. From his 19th place start Satrio was off the line well to lie 15th at the end of the opening lap. A safety car period for two stranded cars in the Brands Hatch gravel kept the cars in position but when racing resumed the Indonesian team moved up to 14th, then 13th a few laps later. The first round of stops went smoothly and with good work from the crew he was back out again, finishing in 13th place at the chequered flag.

Satrio said at the end of the day, “It was a good performance, both in the Sprint Race and Feature Race. We were able to fight with the top ten guys, but at Brands Hatch it’s difficult to pass. The pace is there, but it isn’t an easy track for overtaking, but we were able to show good performance. I’m proud of myself.

“When we were going into the pitstops, everyone went in together then everyone came out together, after that I just kept pushing trying to make the guy in front make a mistake, but this is A1 and the guys are very good drivers. Overall, I’m pleased with the weekend, especially after not being in the car since the New Zealand round in January.”

Bagoes Hermanto concluded, “We’ve had a strong finish to this season with Satrio proving that he is continuing to improve and has made significant progress with his pace, both in qualifying and the races. We look forward to the next season and in the meantime we will start our preparations for this.”

The team and drivers will now take a break from A1GP World Cup of Motorsport. The series will return to the track later this year for the fifth season of competition.