Wonder why A1 Grand Prix isn't all it could be?

Here's why:

Sepang, Malaysia - track used for A1 and F1 races.

Fastest lap time in an F1 car: 1:34.223 (Montoya in 2004)

Fastest lap time in an A1 car: 1:55.373 (Team France)

Is it that bad? A V8 supercar could almost do that.

Rob W

I'd like to see a V8 supercar lap anywhere NEAR that.

Bear in mind that almost all of a F1 car's speed comes from its aero package and the phenomenal downforce it creates... the A1GP cars are specifically designed with MUCH less reliance on this downforce so that the racing can be closer due to the fact that the cars can actually follow eachother around, as opposed to F1 where you can drop 3-4+ seconds a lap if you're in someone else's dirty air.

Then also factor in A1GP's 300bhp or so deficit, then that would account for much of the shortfall.

A1GP was never about being an F1 equal.... it was aimed at being a top-level formula that would produce close racing, country against country... and thus far it's delivered that in spades.

I gave up on watching F1 at the end of 2004.... after years of swearing that it was so bloody boring to watch and that XXXX would be my last year watching it, I finally made good on my promise.

Actually, a V8 supercar wouldm't be far from an A1 car. Open-wheel cars are at a aero disadvantage comapred to saloon/covered wheeled vehicles.

Of course F1 costs more.. but their speed comes from the engine - the aero package slows the cars down majorly in reality especially in the fast sections of the track. (which is why an Indycar would eat an F1 car on an oval but would be worse than a five year old Minardi on an F1 track.

But then again, A1 cars run on slicks which is worth 5-10 seconds a lap too. If F1 returned to slicks... Holy shit I can only wish.

F1 cars can get massive tows in reality - but there is a dirty air patch shortly after that. The main reason they don't follow closer for more of any given lap is engine overheating.

Back to laptime comparisons though...the fastest ever V8 Supercar lap at Pukekohe is faster than a GT cup Porche (Ray Williams' in fact) by miles... but why? The Porche has 300more Hp, is significantly lighter, and has roughly the same rubber on the road... AND is more inherently slippery in aero terms... do you know why it's still slower than the V8?

Rob W

lol.

How 'bout the 10 years or more it'll take to get a decent following?

(assuming you're referring to A1?)

A1 has this year to sort it's shit out or it's gone.

F1 is getting cheaper to be part of (with the engine development freeze, restricted testing etc) so sponsors who were involved in A1 because of price are going to start having F1 in their radar.


Rob W