A1 Grand Prix - Whats the deal???

[RS-11]

Was watching sportsworld this morning when i woke up and the had a segment on the new A1 grand prix circuit..

Apparently 1 car team for each country and exactly the same mods, engine etc....

Does anyone think this will take off?? to me it sounds like faster formula fords.. i may be different to most people but i like that some cars are slower and some are faster because if every car is the same it just seems a bit boring to me, i like Ferrari Vs BMW etc....

They said that there is a race in australia in November..
But i hope F1 goes away from the stupid no tyre change rule and things like that otherwise F1 will loose out to the new cometition...

[WardoXJ]

Check out http://www.a1gp.com/home.html.

Basically a one make single seater series being run during our summer when not much else is on. No competition to F1, Bernie was consulted before it was started.

Not that much different to what the "Bridgestone Presents The Champ Car World Series Powered by Ford" series has turned into with them all using the same Cosworth-Ford engines and Lola chassis, and they have some fantastic racing.

It's an interesting idea and I hope it works. As long as they have quality drivers should be ok. A much better idea than Premier GP which was a football/soccer sponsered racing series.

At least it will be something to watch over summer.

[BOCKY21]

If we get some coverage of it I think it will be good.
I don't like the fact that Alan Jones owns or runs the Aussie team and his son is the driver. Thats bullshit.

Australia's round is at the creek I think.

[Nafe]

A. What's wrong with Alan Jones having the Aussie team?

B. Christian Jones is reigning Asian F3 Champ and aquitted himself pretty well in Australian openwheelers too, so he's not short of skills.

I think it's bullshit that someone like Will Davison is out of a drive in the fucking taxicabs series after signing a 2 year contract and putting his overseas ambitions on hold. THAT is bullshit.

[AndyMac]

Goes back to what the Great Mark said Nafe, having a go at local drivers only aspiring to V8 Supercars. Of course, lack of funds has alot to do with it too.

[sejanus]

There was a promo dvd about it on the aussie f1 mag a month or two ago. it looked really interesting, but i kinda agree with original poster - if all the cars are the same speed it may just be a bit of a procession - here's to hoping the cars overtake easily.

I'll certainly go and see it if the first race is in sydney.

[SpaceCowboy]

It's an interesting idea and I hope it works.

So do I. It's being run by Arabs out of Dubai, so knowing the way they do things (i.e. pour money into it until it does work), I'd say it should be a success.

[dodgyd]

I went to the launch of the Aussie car last night and the guy running the show is a member of the ruling family of Dubai. ie VERY deep pockets. Same family who resurected Emirates Airlines, built the 7 star hotel on a island in the UAE and currently running a project to build a palm tree in the sea which is visible from space... I think running a motorsport series should be a walk in the park for them and they have some big name supporters, Nicki Lauder, Jack Brabham, Alan Jones, et al.

The prise money is US $1,000,000 per race. Not bad. Whether it can be financially viable on its own or not is the big question but the owner has the $ to ride out a few rough years if required.

Oh, and there were some great promo chicks at the launch... sorry I don't have pics - please ban me.