New A1 GP car for 2008!

[RichardRenes]

yes, a yellow running one and an orange Team Netherlands mock-up.

images at http://www.a1teamnedfoto.nl

[Kiwi3]

Any idea if the all Orange one was a matter of not having the proper Netherlands livery applied yet or if they are returning to the seasons 1 & 2 all orange livery?

[kerrmanningjarv]

http://www.italiaracing.net/notizia.asp?id=20153&cat=14 Oh dearie me...

"Patrick Friesacher who last week suffered a testing accident in the new A1 Grand Prix car powered by Ferrari. The incident, which is under investigation by the open-wheel series, left the Austrian with a significant back injury and has put him out of action for an indeterminate amount of time."

A1GP conveniently covered that up, didn't they?

I wonder... was it a failure or driver error? The way they say they are investigating it makes it sound like a failure - not good.

[RichardRenes]

Originally Posted by Kiwi3

Any idea if the all Orange one was a matter of not having the proper Netherlands livery applied yet or if they are returning to the seasons 1 & 2 all orange livery?

from good sources, I'd say chances are 75% we're going back to a season 1/ 2 livery.

which means all they'd have to do is apply the sponsor's decals

[nkfan]

Originally Posted by kerrmanningjarv

http://www.italiaracing.net/notizia.asp?id=20153&cat=14 Oh dearie me...

"Patrick Friesacher who last week suffered a testing accident in the new A1 Grand Prix car powered by Ferrari. The incident, which is under investigation by the open-wheel series, left the Austrian with a significant back injury and has put him out of action for an indeterminate amount of time."

A1GP conveniently covered that up, didn't they?

I wonder... was it a failure or driver error? The way they say they are investigating it makes it sound like a failure - not good.

regardless of failure or driver error...... if patrick got injured seriously, this is big news....is the car as good as the old one when it comes to safety ??..

the serious accident i can recall with the old car was Hayanari Shimoda in australia, where the car got split in to two...and he got away with a minor concussion !
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TmobVaUgix0

[BeeJ]

Aaaaah whatever happened to team Japan ?

[Aslak Vind]

I think its a shame, that we dont have a Team Denmark in A1GP. There are so many talented drivers, and I know that Team Essex Invest looked into it. But the economy looked a bit dizy.

A shame with Patrick, but these things happen. And its quite normal to have these offs in testing. Better in testing than in racing. Best of luck Patrick

[Francis Albert]

Italiaracing is reporting that following the latest test cancellations there are rumours suggesting the season can start with the old car...

[META4]

starting the season with the old cars , would not be really a good news if they have to start racing with the brand new car in "overseas" races like Jakarta or Sepang, would make the work of the teams more difficult i guess

[Kiwi3]

Anyone know the reasons behind the test cancellations? It seemed they had racked up a lot of miles...something to do with the accident (whatever that was)? Hard to imagine Ferrari being willing to accept the damage that would be done to their reputation if the season had to start with the old cars.

[META4]

seems like the test car will be running at Silverstone next week

I think it is already to late for Ferrari to cancel the project, they can hardly go backward now... even if everything is possible

but i think everybody is aware that running an F1 car with 15 peoples around it , and the car rebuild completly after each race is not the same than running an A1GP car that will have to run most of the season with low maintenance

[RichardRenes]

reason of cancellation is not enough cars ready to be tested.. only about 10 or so will be done by then.

That would be a serious disadvantage to the teams not able to pick theirs up.

[Kiwi3]

I read something yesterday about a Team Malaysia mechanic travelling to the UK to start building their car next week, and joining training that they will receive from Ferrari on running the cars.

[RichardRenes]

correct, it's on team Malaysia's site too btw..

And.. Carlo van Dam, currently leading the standings in the Japanese F3, will be piloting the Dutch car at the Bavaria City Race here in Rotterdam.

[Kiwi3]

RichardRenes, who do you see as serious contenders for the Dutch drive? Is Bleekemolen still in there or do van Dam and van der Zande have good chances as well?

[RichardRenes]

from what I gather, Jan Lammers has been talking to:

Jeroen Bleekemolen (Porsche Supercup, Le Mans Series LMP2)
Renger van der Zande (F3 euroseries)
Yelmer Buurman (GP2 and Superleague Formula)
Carlo van Dam (Japanese F3)
Giedo van der Garde (World Series by Renault)
Junior Strous (Atlantics series)
Chris van der Drift (International Formula Master, also in line for Team NZL).

He may or may not have been talking to:
Robert Doornbos (who is positive, as there are only 2 clashes with Superleage Formula)
Jos Verstappen (yes, miracles do exist.. they are on speaking terms again)
and Christijan Albers (DTM now)

[F3 Rocks]

Jos Verstappen and Giedo van der Garde.........................that would be the dream team, but I think it would be just that ............."dreaming"

[RichardRenes]

I don't think Giedo will be content playing second fiddle... With Jos driving, you'd need someone without a big ego to support him.. someone like, say, Junior Strous or Carlo van Dam.

Giedo, Yelmer, Renger (and Jeroen now too ), will claim the seat as a racer too...

[F3 Rocks]

Originally Posted by RichardRenes

I don't think Giedo will be content playing second fiddle... With Jos driving, you'd need someone without a big ego to support him.. someone like, say, Junior Strous or Carlo van Dam.

Giedo, Yelmer, Renger (and Jeroen now too ), will claim the seat as a racer too...

Yes, such a wealth of good drivers to choose from. What a headache for Jan One that a lot of teams would relish

[kfsracer]

Carlo won't come in if he doesn't have the race drive. From what I heard it would be either a team made up by Van der Zande/Van der Garde or Van der Zande/Buurman.

Van der Zande is bringing some money Lammers would desperatley needs...

[cos]

Some photos of the new car, looking good the with the revised engine cover, in action at Silverstone. It's going around 2sec per lap quicker round the International circuit than the old machine so far.

[jackschmidt]

Good call on delaying Mugello, I said it to one of my friends. If I were A1GP, I'd rather delay than not have Ferraris on track.

[RichardRenes]

so we can expect laptimes of about 1:26 at Zandvoort .. sweet.

[Aslak Vind]

I am not sure about that tailfin, but the Ferrari heritage makes up for it

1.26 on Zandvoort ? Cool!

[RichardRenes]

the old car allready was capable of 1:26 in qualification, so 1:26 in racepace is definately possible.. perhaps even faster towards 1:24 or 1:23.

By comparison: DTM cars do about 1:34 and F3 does 1:30.