China's racing team comprising two Shanghai natives failed to burn any rubber on the Shanghai International Circuit at the first season of the A1 Grand Prix of Nations, which closed on Sunday in Shanghai.

Team China's dragon-adorned red and yellow car was a major attraction for the 80,000-strong crowd that showed up at the track, which has also hosted other major racing events including F1, MotoGP and V8.

Local organizers had hoped that the two Shanghai drivers, 21-year-old Jiang Tengyi and 19-year-old Ma Qinghua, would shine in front of the home crowd. Anything close to the fifth place that Jiang managed in the Feature Race at the Dubai leg would have had the crowd cheering. But both drivers could only manage mediocre performances.

Ma finished 17th in the Sprint Race, while Jiang took 16th place in the Feature Race.

Thanks to the six points gained by Jiang in Dubai, China escaped the bottom of the pile. They scraped a 22nd ranking among the 25 participating teams.

France emerged champions with an accumulated 172 points from 11 rounds. Switzerland and Great Britain were ranked second and third respectively.

The Czech Republic crossed the line first in the Shanghai Feature Race. Thomas Enge snatched first place from Sprint Race winner, Malaysia's Alex Yoong, who still managed to retain second spot ahead of Australia's Ryan Briscoe who saw his first podium finish of the season and the third for the team.

Yoong's win in the Sprint Race pushed A1 Team Malaysia from 10th in the Series standings to fifth.

Asked whether F1 was better than the A1 Grand Prix, the former F1 driver for Minardi said: "You cannot compare F1 and A1GP, they are completely different. Formula One is the pinnacle of motorsport in terms of technology. It is about manufacturer against manufacturer, about engine deals and about money. A1 GP is run by countries, the cars are identical, it is an equal playing field. The aim is to see which is the best team and driver, it is about the people. I would definitely stay in A1GP, it would have to be a good deal for me to move to F1. A very good deal!"

The A1 Grand Prix of Nations, Shanghai, was the last race in A1 Grand Prix's inaugural season. The first race of the second season will take place in the Netherlands in September.

Chinese driver Jiang Tengyi (R)

(China Daily April 4, 2006)