KEY POINTS:
Team New Zealand driver Jonny Reid climbed behind the wheel of Black Beauty yesterday for his first opportunity to drive the new-look car.
Reid took part in an official A1 Grand Prix test at the Taupo Motorsport Park and worked closely with Ferrari engineers to test the launch control system that caused major headaches for New Zealand and other teams during round four of the World Cup of motorsport over the weekend.
Reid completed 46 laps which included a number of simulated race starts as various electronic settings were trialled.
The A1GP championship-leading Team Ireland were also on track, testing fuel system components.
With Reid unable to drive the new Ferrari-powered car before the season started, the test session at Taupo proved valuable.
He said it was a big improvement on the first generation A1GP car and said he adapted quickly to the new systems and features of the car.
The 25-year-old, who had to watch on as Chris van der Drift drove for New Zealand on Sunday, recorded some respectable lap times today.
Team New Zealand stressed Reid's session was solely to allow New Zealand's most capped A1GP driver the chance of some mileage in the new car.
It was not a reaction to the disappointing results of the weekend, where van der Drift placed fifth in the sprint race and 14th in the feature race.
No decision has been made over which of the team's three drivers - van der Drift, Reid or Earl Bamber - will contest the fifth round at Gauteng, South Africa next month.
- NZPA
