Estoril: Team Great Britain Friday report

It didn't just rain - it poured in Portugal for day one of the three day A1 Grand Prix event. Four practice sessions were held - two more than usual to give teams with a new second car a chance to shake t down. This included Robbie Kerr in the ...

It didn't just rain - it poured in Portugal for day one of the three day A1 Grand Prix event. Four practice sessions were held - two more than usual to give teams with a new second car a chance to shake t down. This included Robbie Kerr in the A1Team.GBR car two. The original plan was for Alex Lloyd to drive the first stint but the adverse weather conditions led to Team Principal John Surtees changing the plan to give Kerr the opportunity of a wet test in case it dried in the afternoon.

Robbie had always been planned to qualify and race. The shakedown went well with the car's performance gradually improving throughout the day. Earlier in the day the team did their bit for the Jubilee Sailing Trust which is marking the anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar by selling eye patches to raise money.

The organization gives people the opportunity to experience life at sea and the importance of team spirit on tall ships. John Surtees posed for pictures with the drivers and car wearing the official Eye Patch Day' patches.

Robbie Kerr:
"Obviously it would have been better to have been quicker out there on the track but it was a bit of a lottery with the variable conditions. I'm OK about how it's gone but will be happier when we get some faster times in tomorrow."