A1 - Grand Prix!!!

Shan2nu · 6th July 2005, 00:55

I'm surprised theres no Finland!!!

Mika Hakkinen
Tommy Makkinen
Kimi Raikonen

They got it all. I'm sure if Finland was in the race, they'd have left everybody far behind.

Shan2nu

Mpower · 6th July 2005, 00:59

There is no testing like F1 because all cars, engines and tires are identical. They will probably have practice and setup on Thursday and Friday before the race.....otherwise jump in and drive.

It remains to be seen if a driver can handle 2 racing seasons in the same year. I really dont see any other capable driver.

I'll be happy as long as we beat Pakistan.

Shan2nu · 6th July 2005, 01:06

Quote:

I'll be happy as long as we beat Pakistan.

It's going to be another "World Cup" isn't it? Can't wait for it to start.

Shan2nu

khanak · 8th July 2005, 15:10

that would be brilliant eh.............some good ol india vs pakistan action except on the circuit

gr8guzzler · 13th July 2005, 02:21

Alex Yoong former F1 driver has been named as the 1st Driver for Team Malaysia...will announce 2nd driver next week

Cost of taking part in A1 GP for the Malaysian team: $ 15 Million

Malaysia will host A1 GP in november

Cheers!!!

Shan2nu · 13th July 2005, 02:39

Quote:

Malaysia will host A1 GP in november

Will that be held on the Sepang F1 circuit? That'l give us an idea as to how these cars compare to F1 cars. They're not very slow. I'm expecting a 10-15 sec diff per lap.

Shan2nu

Mpower · 13th July 2005, 02:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by gr8guzzler

Alex Yoong former F1 driver has been named as the 1st Driver for Team Malaysia..

I think Alex Yoong is also the co-owner of the franchise for Team Malaysia.

gr8guzzler · 13th July 2005, 02:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mpower

I think Alex Yoong is also the co-owner of the franchise for Team Malaysia.

Yup he is a Team Principal

gr8guzzler · 13th July 2005, 02:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shan2nu

Will that be held on the Sepang F1 circuit?

Yup its scheduled to be held at Sepang

http://www.motorsport.com/news/artic...?ID=190247&FS=

gr8guzzler · 13th July 2005, 03:00

India TV rights have gone to ESPN Star

http://www.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=50529

gr8guzzler · 13th July 2005, 03:06

Robbie Kerr and Alex Lloyd are the drivers chosen to represent their country in the inaugural A1 Grand Prix series.

http://www.autoracingdaily.com/article.php?cid=1531

papps · 20th July 2005, 11:50

well problems for team india... looks like its gonna be a tough time for them to finalise their driver line-up.....

http://www.indianexpress.com/full_st...ian~speedblock

PUNE, JULY 13: It could be the platform for India’s fledgling motorsport stars to show they’ve come of age. But the A1 Grand Prix series, which takes off this September, has several roadblocks that must first be negotiated.

Not least the absence of Narain Karthikeyan, who told The Indian Express today that he would not be a part of A1. When it was put to him that this was driving for the country, Karthikeyan’s response was clear: ‘‘There is nothing greater than the Formula1 World Championship. I represent India in that championship, which is at the highest level of the sport.’’

That, though, is what the A1 GP is challenging. Calling itself the World Cup of motor racing, the A1 — promoted by Dubai’s Sheikh Maktoum, who believes motorsport should not be the preserve of the Europeans — has got 16 teams on board, including A1 Team India.

A1 in general has gone into overdrive with prize money and other details finalised (see box). And Team India’s GM (marketing) Gary Naidoo is bullish about the concept’s success here. ‘‘We are looking at the series as an opportunity to develop drivers and provide them the platform necessary to make an entry into this sport’’, he adds.

Yet there are serious problems.

The first is the timing of the A1 season: September to March. That means an overlap with the mainstream Formula seasons (Formula 1, Formula 3, etc), and rules out Karun Chandok and Armaan Ebrahim for at least a month each at the beginning and the end.

And that rather narrows the field down to the few Indians — Rayomand Banajee, for example — who race cars but not in these categories. And undermines the the objective of getting more Indians exposed to international racing.

Handling a 550bhp car — the spec for A1 — is not easy; only Karthikeyan has done so to date. Even Karun and Armaan drive cars of lower capacity.

Karun’s father Vicky Chandok, president of the Federation of Motor Sports Cclubs of India, points out the resulting problem. ‘‘Indians are strong in talent but the inexperience can be a handicap. Giving any Indian a car of high-capacity can be dangerous on track.’’

With most teams having named their drivers, A1 Team India’s immediate problem is filling that blank. The launch is in New Delhi on July 30; before that, they need a primary and secondary driver from a shortlist of six.

There is a likelihood the team missing out their first test (over three days) scheduled for the first week of August at France’s Paul Ricard circuit. In fact, prior to the series proper, all teams would be able to test twice in a bid to get familiar with the car. The second, two-day test is scheduled for the third week of August.

That’s another handicap the Team India drivers will have to put up with.

With the series opener scheduled at Brands Hatch, England on September 25, Naidu says ‘‘We would like to find the best. Ultimately we are looking at competitiveness.’’

gr8guzzler · 30th July 2005, 19:18

Coutersy www.grandprix.com

Quote:

Jos heads for A1 Grand Prix

Jos Verstappen is to remain a Dutch national hero with the news that he has signed to drive for the country's A1 Grand Prix team, which is being run by another former F1 man Jan Lammers. The signing of Verstappen is no surprise and will guarantee that they series gets lot of publicity in racing-mad Holland, even if Christijan Albers and Robert Doornbos are now in action in F1. Verstappen has been out of F1 for nearly two years.

It is worth noting that there are also rumours which suggest that Williams F1 driver Antonio Pizzonia may be taken on to drive for the Brazilian team although Pizzonia is still hoping to get a break in F1. Time and places are running out and A1 may end up being a good answer for Antonio, although there are some team owners who remember that he did a very good job when he stood in for Ralf Schumacher last year with Williams.

It is also worth noting that there are rumours that the French A1 Grand Prix franchise could be acquired by longtime rally and sports car racer Frederic Dor. If confirmed this would be Dor's first move in single seater racing. The rumours we have heard suggest that the team could be run for Dor by DAMS.

Mpower · 30th July 2005, 21:09

Akbar Ebrahim has been announced as the team boss a.k.a the Ron Dennis of team Indian. They are now recruiting the team crew members. As far as drivers, a name being proposed is Imran Hussein.....anybody heard of him ???

adilshah · 30th July 2005, 23:30

Imran Hussein? you sure.....never heard of anyone like that. is he like a pure indian or nri?

6th July 2005, 00:55	#16
Shan2nu Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Hubli - Karnata Posts: 5,533 Thanked: 125 Times View My Garage	I'm surprised theres no Finland!!! Mika Hakkinen Tommy Makkinen Kimi Raikonen They got it all. I'm sure if Finland was in the race, they'd have left everybody far behind. Shan2nu
	() Thanks

6th July 2005, 00:59	#17
Mpower Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Bangalore Posts: 10,409 Thanked: 1,732 Times View My Garage	There is no testing like F1 because all cars, engines and tires are identical. They will probably have practice and setup on Thursday and Friday before the race.....otherwise jump in and drive. It remains to be seen if a driver can handle 2 racing seasons in the same year. I really dont see any other capable driver. I'll be happy as long as we beat Pakistan.
	() Thanks

8th July 2005, 15:10	#19
khanak Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Mumbai/Toronto Posts: 2,800 Thanked: 270 Times View My Garage	that would be brilliant eh.............some good ol india vs pakistan action except on the circuit
	() Thanks

13th July 2005, 02:21	#20
gr8guzzler BHPian Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Navi Mumbai Posts: 653 Thanked: 87 Times View My Garage	Update: Team Malaysia Alex Yoong former F1 driver has been named as the 1st Driver for Team Malaysia...will announce 2nd driver next week Cost of taking part in A1 GP for the Malaysian team: $ 15 Million Malaysia will host A1 GP in november Cheers!!!
	() Thanks

13th July 2005, 03:00	#25
gr8guzzler BHPian Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Navi Mumbai Posts: 653 Thanked: 87 Times View My Garage	India TV rights India TV rights have gone to ESPN Star http://www.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=50529
	() Thanks

13th July 2005, 03:06	#26
gr8guzzler BHPian Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Navi Mumbai Posts: 653 Thanked: 87 Times View My Garage	Team Great Britain Drivers Robbie Kerr and Alex Lloyd are the drivers chosen to represent their country in the inaugural A1 Grand Prix series. http://www.autoracingdaily.com/article.php?cid=1531
	() Thanks

20th July 2005, 11:50	#27
papps BHPian Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Newcastle, UK Posts: 271 Thanked: 0 Times	well problems for team india... looks like its gonna be a tough time for them to finalise their driver line-up..... http://www.indianexpress.com/full_st...ian~speedblock PUNE, JULY 13: It could be the platform for India’s fledgling motorsport stars to show they’ve come of age. But the A1 Grand Prix series, which takes off this September, has several roadblocks that must first be negotiated. Not least the absence of Narain Karthikeyan, who told The Indian Express today that he would not be a part of A1. When it was put to him that this was driving for the country, Karthikeyan’s response was clear: ‘‘There is nothing greater than the Formula1 World Championship. I represent India in that championship, which is at the highest level of the sport.’’ That, though, is what the A1 GP is challenging. Calling itself the World Cup of motor racing, the A1 — promoted by Dubai’s Sheikh Maktoum, who believes motorsport should not be the preserve of the Europeans — has got 16 teams on board, including A1 Team India. A1 in general has gone into overdrive with prize money and other details finalised (see box). And Team India’s GM (marketing) Gary Naidoo is bullish about the concept’s success here. ‘‘We are looking at the series as an opportunity to develop drivers and provide them the platform necessary to make an entry into this sport’’, he adds. Yet there are serious problems. The first is the timing of the A1 season: September to March. That means an overlap with the mainstream Formula seasons (Formula 1, Formula 3, etc), and rules out Karun Chandok and Armaan Ebrahim for at least a month each at the beginning and the end. And that rather narrows the field down to the few Indians — Rayomand Banajee, for example — who race cars but not in these categories. And undermines the the objective of getting more Indians exposed to international racing. Handling a 550bhp car — the spec for A1 — is not easy; only Karthikeyan has done so to date. Even Karun and Armaan drive cars of lower capacity. Karun’s father Vicky Chandok, president of the Federation of Motor Sports Cclubs of India, points out the resulting problem. ‘‘Indians are strong in talent but the inexperience can be a handicap. Giving any Indian a car of high-capacity can be dangerous on track.’’ With most teams having named their drivers, A1 Team India’s immediate problem is filling that blank. The launch is in New Delhi on July 30; before that, they need a primary and secondary driver from a shortlist of six. There is a likelihood the team missing out their first test (over three days) scheduled for the first week of August at France’s Paul Ricard circuit. In fact, prior to the series proper, all teams would be able to test twice in a bid to get familiar with the car. The second, two-day test is scheduled for the third week of August. That’s another handicap the Team India drivers will have to put up with. With the series opener scheduled at Brands Hatch, England on September 25, Naidu says ‘‘We would like to find the best. Ultimately we are looking at competitiveness.’’
	() Thanks

30th July 2005, 21:09	#29
Mpower Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Bangalore Posts: 10,409 Thanked: 1,732 Times View My Garage	Akbar Ebrahim has been announced as the team boss a.k.a the Ron Dennis of team Indian. They are now recruiting the team crew members. As far as drivers, a name being proposed is Imran Hussein.....anybody heard of him ???
	() Thanks

30th July 2005, 23:30	#30
adilshah BHPian Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Mumbai Posts: 88 Thanked: Once	Imran Hussein? you sure.....never heard of anyone like that. is he like a pure indian or nri?
	() Thanks