Herbert, Leinders take F1x2 honours.

Formula One old and new stood atop the Altech South African F1x2 Grand Prix, with Johnny Herbert and Bas Leinders claiming a win apiece in front of a sell-out crowd at the Kyalami circuit in Johannesburg.

For the second year in succession, the Minardi initiative staged a couple of 'demonstration' races at Kyalami, this time supporting the inaugural Grand Prix Masters event, with drivers and passengers alike running in near-perfect weather conditions that enabled them to put on a show for the spectators.

It was Belgian drivers to the fore in the first race, with Leinders and passenger Robert Wray taking the chequered flag in front of fellow countryman David Saelens, who was partnered by Graham Johnson. Johnny Herbert and Sasha Martinengo took the final podium spot.

?EURoeWe had a great start and were up to third by the end of the first lap, and then we overtook Matteo [Bobbi] and pushed hard to the pit-stop," Leinders reported, "David was ahead of us after the stop, but we managed to pass him before the chequered flag and score a great victory. It?EUR(TM)s been a lot of fun, but best of all, it?EUR(TM)s been for a good cause.?EUR?

The only casualty of the race was Gianni Morbidelli, who spun at Sunset Corner, thus ensuring his passenger, Gary Formato, had a never-to-be forgotten moment.

The second race saw Florida?EUR(TM)s Ryan Hunter-Reay lead impressively from start to finish, but the Champ Car driver was later penalised for not making his mandatory pit-stop, elevating the irrepressible Herbert - this time chauffeuring Fred Coetzer - into first place. Local hero Alan van der Merwe, along with Sarah Jane Trutter, claimed second, with Patrick Friesacher and Nick Williamson taking the final podium spot.

?EURoeFrom my perspective, the nice thing about today is that my passengers in both races had good runs," Herbert commented, "We overtook several cars, so they had an opportunity to get a real sense of what it?EUR(TM)s like when you?EUR(TM)re racing. I had fun today, and I?EUR(TM)m sure they did as well, so you?EUR(TM)d have to say it?EUR(TM)s been another successful weekend for F1x2.?EUR?

There were two retirements second time around, with Saelens and Linda Bam pulling out on the third lap with an electronics problem, and Zsolt Baumgartner and kart racing passenger Claudio Piazza Musso, spinning out of the race at Tabletop Corner.

Results - Race one:

1. Bas Leinders/Robert Wray
2. David Saelens/Graham Johnson
3. Johnny Herbert/Sasha Martinengo
4. Patrick Friesacher/Brian Kennedy
5. Matteo Bobbi/Alistair McArthur
6. Ryan Hunter-Reay/Delen Naidoo
7. Alan van der Merwe/Peter Wharton Hood

Rtd Gianni Morbidelli/Gary Formato

Results - Race two:

1. Johnny Herbert/Fred Coetzer
2. Alan van der Merwe/Sarah Jane Trutter
3. Patrick Friesacher/Nick Williamson
4. Bas Leinders/Joe de Beer
5. Tarso Marques/Pedro Rodrigues
6. Ryan Hunter-Reay/Joana Koornneef

Rtd Zsolt Baumgartner/Claudio Musso
Rtd David Saelens/Linda Bam