Interesting article from Pitpass about how F1 tries to discredit A1GP and how it keeps going. (The article is written by the Team Principal for Ireland.)

I thought it was a good read and a good defense of A1GP as a series.

http://www.pitpass.com/fes_php/pitpass_feature_item.php?fes_art_id=37135

Sabrina81 - 02 March 2009 02:04 PM

Interesting article from Pitpass about how F1 tries to discredit A1GP and how it keeps going. (The article is written by the Team Principal for Ireland.)

I thought it was a good read and a good defense of A1GP as a series.

http://www.pitpass.com/fes_php/pitpass_feature_item.php?fes_art_id=37135

Hey thanks for that.. here's another interesting one. A1GP fights back.

Texiera: F1 has A1GP envy
http://www.crash.net/Formula+One/News/143267/1/teixeira_f1_has_a1gp_envy.html

This A1GP vs F1 fight is definitely going to favor A1GP. What A1GP really needs is press and when the press start printing up stories it'll create interest in the series. A1GP racing action really isn't that bad and the cars and the noises they make are nice. Plus the tracks are world wide and so are the teams and drivers. A1GP can be big it just lacks interest in the public.

How in the world did A1GP go from the original 11 race 2008-2009 schedule down to only 7?

Funny for a series that claims F1 has envy of A1GP, they based their new car on a Ferrari F2004.

racingfanatic111 - 03 March 2009 02:31 AM

Funny for a series that claims F1 has envy of A1GP, they based their new car on a Ferrari F2004.

I don't think 'they' based their car on Ferrari f2004 -- I think it was Ferrari's decision to do that.

Lola-Zytek was wholly original -- and I was actually a bit disappointed that Ferrari didn't try something more original and unique also.

Personally I like the sound of the A1GP Zytek engines better than the new A1 Ferrari v8's (And it hurts me to say this.. being a tifosi myself).

A1GP onboard - Lausitzring (Lola -Zytek)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v5jJO_kAqDQ

A1GP - Onboard - Chengdu (Powered by Ferrari)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRn0gI43Qc8

Compare. What do you think?

I have heard both engines in person (visited all 3 Zandvoort rounds thusfar ), and yes, the Zytek engine sounds better.

The Zytek engine is/ was basically a LMP2 engine, while the Ferrari engine is basically a LMGT engine it's lower, gruntier, but you do not need your earplugs. The Zytek is/ was high pitched and sharp, and displaced much more air (more dB's )

I like both chassis, never got to see the Lola/Zytek in action though.
One thing is for sure, and those of you who watched Kyalami most likely will agree, the racing in A1GP is pretty good.

Mulla0722 - 03 March 2009 12:53 AM

How in the world did A1GP go from the original 11 race 2008-2009 schedule down to only 7?

They didn't have the cars ready for the Mugello date. The Jakarta track didn't pass FIA inspection. The Mexico date was canceled due to a Radiohead concert. The last date was a TBA.

However, there is supposed to be an additional Brazil race (already approved by the FIA) and potentially a Canadian race. So the season could potentially have 9 races.

As for the F1 vs. A1GP, I don't want the medal system implemented in F1. I don't know why the two series can't exist especially if A1GP wants to pick up tracks dropped by F1 or the IRL.

Watching racing at Kyalami was pretty cool and I can't wait to see the racing at the new Portugal track.

It's interesting that.. (according to suggestions by the article) that the F1 media seems to want A1GP to just disappear. F1 has only 20 spots at the moment. Where are all of those other talented single-seater drivers supposed to go?

I like that there is a another professional single-seater series for them to race in. I'm enjoying watching Adam Carroll and the rest.

Team Ireland's guy is pretty witty and feisty in the article and I like that. A1GP would probably have an easier time growing if the F1 media would stop bashing them; and start covering then without being intimidated that A1GP might (somehow) supplant F1 on something like that..

That scenario is highly unlikely (if that is what they're worried about) so they should just get over it, and treat A1GP like any other professional racing series such as LMS or FIA GT.

F1 is becoming more and more like Microsoft -- just kill everyone who might compete with you, and definitely make sure that no one else can possibly bring anything positive to the table. Just bash and bash, and stagnate.