New Series to rival F1
Discussion
www.a1gp.com/home.html
Just saw this mentioned on the BBC, apparently launched by a member of the ruling Saudi royal family.
They're calling it the motor racing World Championship, using identical cars with no driver aids.
It starts next September and will take place over the winter when F1 is hibernating.
Teams will be racing for their country under a franchise agreement.
Apparently Justin Wilson helped develop the car, it's got 520BHP and weighs 600kg.
Maybe they bought Jaguar?
Just saw this mentioned on the BBC, apparently launched by a member of the ruling Saudi royal family.
They're calling it the motor racing World Championship, using identical cars with no driver aids.
It starts next September and will take place over the winter when F1 is hibernating.
Teams will be racing for their country under a franchise agreement.
Apparently Justin Wilson helped develop the car, it's got 520BHP and weighs 600kg.
Maybe they bought Jaguar?
Premier GP was linked to football clubs - under the odd assumption that there could be some sort of crossover between footie fans and F1 fans. Maybe the hooligan element who supported Mansell in the early 90s and Schumacher later on prompted them to make the link. Anyway, with many major European football clubs staring bankruptcy in the face, the idea faded away.
This new series sounds interesting and is less "media hyped" than the Premier series was. Whether it generates any interest is open to debate - particularly if it only gets limited coverage on TV, especially terrestrial TV.
This new series sounds interesting and is less "media hyped" than the Premier series was. Whether it generates any interest is open to debate - particularly if it only gets limited coverage on TV, especially terrestrial TV.
I don't think as yet it has terrestrial TV but SKY have bought the rights to show Live coverage for the next 3 years including Friday practice, qualifying and obviously the race.
I'd like to think it'll attract the best drivers but they don't mention how they'll recruit them apart from having to be a national of the country that holds the franchise for that team!
I'd like to think it'll attract the best drivers but they don't mention how they'll recruit them apart from having to be a national of the country that holds the franchise for that team!
The cars are made by Lola, with a specially designed V8 motor.
I like the idea of national teams/ drivers. BRG for the Brits, Blue for the French, etc etc...
As the cars are all to the same spec this will be like a very fast, utterly mad Formula Ford type race ! Overtaking will be everywhere and driver skill will be the factor.
I like the idea. Bring it on !!
I like the idea of national teams/ drivers. BRG for the Brits, Blue for the French, etc etc...
As the cars are all to the same spec this will be like a very fast, utterly mad Formula Ford type race ! Overtaking will be everywhere and driver skill will be the factor.
I like the idea. Bring it on !!
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/3703092.stm
Rival GP series launched
A new series billed as the World Cup of motorsport has been launched in London as a winter alternative to Formula One.
The idea is to have up to 20 drivers competing for national teams, all of them using identical cars built to the same specifications by Lola.
A1 Grand Prix was devised by Sheikh Maktoum Hasher Maktoum al-Maktoum, a member of the Dubai royal family.
He told the BBC: "It brings the national element into it. It will be truly country versus country."
Sky Sports has secured the rights to show the races for three years, starting next autumn.
I'm looking to create new stars
Sheikh Maktoum Hasher Maktoum al-Maktoum
The Sheikh was in London's Trafalgar Square on Thursday to launch the UK franchise of the A1 series, which was originally unveiled in Dubai in March.
"Formula One is exciting in its own way. We are entering a new section of the market which hasn't been tapped, which is the winter months," he added.
"During the winter, nothing happens in motorsport.
"We are re-emphasising the skill of the driver and the ability of the team to get the best out of the car on the given day and the given track.
"It gives the opportunity to countries like India, Pakistan, Africa, Malaysia and Lebanon to compete on a level playing field against Europe."
The launch of the new series comes at a time when Formula One is trying to win back fans, having seen interest in the sport dip in recent years.
"What we are trying to do is launch a concept of single open-wheel, high-octane motorsport action and bring it to the people and the developing world," said the Sheikh.
"Instead of them just hosting races they are actually having the chance to partake.
"Most of the stars currently in F1 were not well known before. I'm looking to create new stars.
"We are going to have probably the first African driver in motorsport in A1 Grand Prix. We are going to have the first Indian driver in a blue-chip event.
"It's an opportunity for these nations to shine."
Rival GP series launched
A new series billed as the World Cup of motorsport has been launched in London as a winter alternative to Formula One.
The idea is to have up to 20 drivers competing for national teams, all of them using identical cars built to the same specifications by Lola.
A1 Grand Prix was devised by Sheikh Maktoum Hasher Maktoum al-Maktoum, a member of the Dubai royal family.
He told the BBC: "It brings the national element into it. It will be truly country versus country."
Sky Sports has secured the rights to show the races for three years, starting next autumn.
I'm looking to create new stars
Sheikh Maktoum Hasher Maktoum al-Maktoum
The Sheikh was in London's Trafalgar Square on Thursday to launch the UK franchise of the A1 series, which was originally unveiled in Dubai in March.
"Formula One is exciting in its own way. We are entering a new section of the market which hasn't been tapped, which is the winter months," he added.
"During the winter, nothing happens in motorsport.
"We are re-emphasising the skill of the driver and the ability of the team to get the best out of the car on the given day and the given track.
"It gives the opportunity to countries like India, Pakistan, Africa, Malaysia and Lebanon to compete on a level playing field against Europe."
The launch of the new series comes at a time when Formula One is trying to win back fans, having seen interest in the sport dip in recent years.
"What we are trying to do is launch a concept of single open-wheel, high-octane motorsport action and bring it to the people and the developing world," said the Sheikh.
"Instead of them just hosting races they are actually having the chance to partake.
"Most of the stars currently in F1 were not well known before. I'm looking to create new stars.
"We are going to have probably the first African driver in motorsport in A1 Grand Prix. We are going to have the first Indian driver in a blue-chip event.
"It's an opportunity for these nations to shine."
toppstuff said:Whilst true, this is also the case with GP2 - which will replace F3000 next year (which was also single make).
As the cars are all to the same spec this will be like a very fast, utterly mad Formula Ford type race ! Overtaking will be everywhere and driver skill will be the factor.
It remains to be seen if the organisers are serious in organising a championship to rival F1, or if it is just a rich Sheik's toy.
Good luck to Lola though, they need a new series to replace F3000.
The Wiz said:As I understand it, "al-" means "son of". Kind of like Ploppy, son of Ploppy, the jailor.
A1 Grand Prix was devised by Sheikh Maktoum Hasher Maktoum al-Maktoum, a member of the Dubai royal family.
Mutt K said:
Oh, no, new vista opens up for DC to find a drive. New opportunities to say " I am fitter and more motivated than last year and the year before that and the year beore that. This will be my year assuming I don't get a team mate who is any way shape or form a better driver than I am"
You can be ya boots that he'll be putting his name forward to 'carry the flag' for Britain in A1, can't you?
Still it'll be another place for him to complain like a whining girl and still be dog slow. Ron Dennis should have put him out to pasture about five years ago!
Oi, Coulthard, NO!!!!!!!!!!
There's no technical reasons why carbon/kevlar/composite look-a-likes of classic 60s F1 cars could not be made. The main differences would be in the engine and radiator department. I don't see designers going back to front radiator designs (with all the plumbing and weight implications) and a modern F1 engine is much smaller and lighter than the big lumps that sat in the back of (partcularly) BRMs, Ferraris and Eagles. However, the prize for "monster" engine in 1966/67 must go to the Cooper Maserati T61 - very crude and haevy looking.
I wouldn't propose a return to 60s shapes. However, modern Formula Ford have the latest in safety features incorporated into a wingless, low downforce set up. That to me would be the way forward - a powerful, bigger Formula Ford.
I wouldn't propose a return to 60s shapes. However, modern Formula Ford have the latest in safety features incorporated into a wingless, low downforce set up. That to me would be the way forward - a powerful, bigger Formula Ford.
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