A1GP Race Weekend Format

Qualifying - 4 fifteen minute sessions - you can run 1 flying lap in each, and your fastest 2 times are added together.


This determines the grid for a sprint race, with a rolling start


The finishing order of that determines the grid for the main race, with a standing start. The main race has a pit stop.


Because it is the country, not the driver that scores, you will be allowed to have one driver qualify and another race, as long as the race driver has set a time in a practice session within 102% of his country's qualifying time.


Sounds like this could be very entertaining.

i like that....incorporates the whole idea of representing your country.......maybe this is a way of motorsport being allowed into the olympics!

i like that....incorporates the whole idea of representing your country.......maybe this is a way of motorsport being allowed into the olympics!Unlikely,IOC rules prohibit any motorised sport.

I think it's a change from the usual "driver and team" way that motorsport has always gone by. Several drivers could be taking part in the races...

Forgive me for this question but what is a sprint race?

Forgive me for this question but what is a sprint race?


A short race of about 15 to 20 minutes.

A short race of about 15 to 20 minutes.A relative term I think. It usually just means a shorter one than the longer one.2Vs had a 10 lap sprint and 20 lap 'endurance' !!

Yes, what I meant was that 15-20 mins is what "sprint race" will mean in A1GP terms.

I've read loads about A1, including on the official site, and know some of the basics - car/engine/tyre suppliers, race format etc but still dont have answers for the following questions:

I presume tyres will be changed in the pit stop of the feature race(?)
What about refuelling?

The engine is a "sealed" unit, but what about:
> Gear Ratios
> Wing adjustments
> Suspension settings
> Fuel brand/mixture
> etc

Anyone know?
Rob

Fuel,oils and other consumables will be pretty much standardised as I understand it.

The teams can pick their own gear ratios (presumably from a standardised set) and adjust the wings, suspension and dampeners in order to set up the cars to the drivers liking.

Don't know what exactly the pitstops will entail, but I did notice that the cars have a filler cap in a similar place to F1 cars.

If in the event of accident damage in the sprint race, can a team use a spare for the main race(supposing they have one that is)?

I am sure that we will have a few 'wrecks' first time out, as there are some relative rookies driving.

If in the event of accident damage in the sprint race, can a team use a spare for the main race(supposing they have one that is)?

I am sure that we will have a few 'wrecks' first time out, as there are some relative rookies driving.

I'm pretty sure each team has two cars, a main car and a spare so I guess if a driver crashes in the sprint then they can use the spare in the feature race.

I'm pretty sure each team has two cars, a main car and a spare so I guess if a driver crashes in the sprint then they can use the spare in the feature race.

There will be spare cars in the near future, but at this moment there are no spares available ,so they better take care.

I'm pretty sure each team has two cars, a main car and a spare so I guess if a driver crashes in the sprint then they can use the spare in the feature race.

Yep, i read the sheik placed an order for 50 motors, so that makes 2 per team.

But I guess we'll just have to wait until Sunday...not long long now.

BTW, Just ordered SKY Sports for Saturday qualifying...does anyone know if there is any other TV lined up about A1 over the weekend? (Apart from the race itself of course)

Rob

A stupid question perhaps, but I've got tickets for the paddock on Sunday. Will this be like a pitwalk? I don't think we'll get full access throughout the race. Does anyone know?

I was there yesterday, the usual cramped Brands inner paddock is even more cramped than usual, with storage units behind the garages, and then temporary offices for the teams up against back fance, so I wouldn't be surprised if there is no access to inner paddock at all, or at most very limited access.

Any idea when practice session stats today, qualification tomorrow, sprint race (saturday or sunday?), main race...

Plah. I can't find any kind of timetable anywhere :(

www.motorsportvision.co.uk

oops. Found it already. But thanks anyway :)

I was there yesterday, the usual cramped Brands inner paddock is even more cramped than usual, with storage units behind the garages, and then temporary offices for the teams up against back fance, so I wouldn't be surprised if there is no access to inner paddock at all, or at most very limited access.

Quote from the MSV web site here (http://www.motorsportvision.co.uk/resources/A1GPnew/info.asp)


"Paddock and Pit Passes
You can purchase a pitlane walkabout pass for Friday and Saturday from the Megastore on the outside of Paddock Hill bend. Price £10 for each day. Race day Paddock and Pit Passes are sold out.

GP Pitlane/Paddock walkabout opening times* (for GP Pit/Paddock pass holders only)

Friday 18:15 -18:30
Saturday 13:30 -13:45
Sunday 09:00 - 09:15 (Sold out)
Sunday 12:00 -12:15 (Sold out)

Please assemble for the GP Pitlane/Paddock Walkabout by the Ambulance Gate at Paddock Hill Bend Grandstand. The walkabout will consist of a tour along the front of the pit lane, which will last up to 30 minutes, and the back of the garages in the GP Paddock (also 30 minutes)."

Did I miss something? I thought Pedro Lamy was driving for Portugal???