Of course, he did receive a hint of luck from the pit stops, with Team Malaysia having a problem with the right rear tyre, therefore allowing Duval to build a large enough lead to pit and rejoin the race safely in the lead.
It was a similar story in the second round of pit stops, but without any problems for any of the teams.
Amongst all the drama in the pits, there was plenty of drama on the track, with both Switzerland and South Africa retiring, and Ireland's Adam Carroll spinning again.
Another ingredient was to be added to this recipe of a perfectly entertaining race, with Team Lebanon and Team China crashing entering Tarzan.
It was caused by Lebanon's David Morad trying to go wide into the corner and touching the paint on the outside of the track, therefore resulting in an almighty collision with China's Hoo-Pin Tung.
This mistake cost Lebanon their highest points finish (fourth place) in their entire A1GP career.
After that incident the safety car was deployed, and the race was finished early under a safety car with Team France taking the chequered flag, Team Malaysia second and New Zealand's Earl Bamber claiming the last podium spot.
Team Monaco recorded a sixth place after their unfortunate accident in the Sprint race, launching their A1GP campaign with a good result, and Team Korea taking the last spot with only seven cars finishing.
Along with all the drama of the race, the drivers also had a different trial to overcome, and that was their new cars.
The old specs were:
- Engine: Zytec
- Size: V8
- Bhp: 550
- Power boost: 30bhp
- Torque: 330
- Tyres: Cooper
- Brakes: Steel Alloy
Compared to the new specs of:
- Engine: Ferrari
- Size: V8
- Bhp: 600
- Power boost: 60bhp
- Torque: 408
- Tyres: Michelin
- Brakes: Carbon Fibre
These new and improved specs of the cars added an extra trial for the drivers to overcome, not to mention the wideness of the new chassis, giving a hint of Champ Car to the racing.
With the first race of the season over, Zandvoort truly served up the recipe for a perfect race. Drama, crashes, new drivers, unassailable amounts of overtaking, and an old champion back on the winning spot.
Next on the menu is Chengdu, China on Nov. 9, and may it provide an equally delicious line of events.
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