Season 4

[kerrmanningjarv]

^ Do you have a link to an article?

[Lam Pak]

i think we owe summerton an apology. he was the new patriot of usa motor sport. makes speed embarassed.

[F3 Rocks]

Originally Posted by Kiwi3

Jonathan Summerton is returning for USA. With the consistency and form he was showing at the end of last season they should be strong (as per Portugal with Alberqueque returning).

Are you sure about Jonathan Summerton, I've heard Marco Andretti will be driving with Andretti Green taking over as seat holder Team USA

[Kiwi3]

I am going by this:

http://www.motorsport.com/news/artic...302345&FS=A1GP

The Andretti name in A1GP would be fantastic though...

[spider]

I'm good mates with Jon. He's racing next season, rest assured.

He had a meeting with Rick a week ago and he'll start the season. He'll be at the Donny test.

He's desperate to get into GP2, as Mr Orleans will know on here, so winning the title is absolutely vital especially as the cars are much more conventional and thus driver performances will be looked at a little more closely by other series' bosses.

Personally though, i'd like to see more drivers of JS's stature do the sensible thing and try and establish themselves as a paid professional A1 driver and/or a tin-top racer. Start young, earn some money, don't throw 100,000's down the loo chasing an F1 dream...

[F3 Rocks]

Originally Posted by spider

I'm good mates with Jon. He's racing next season, rest assured.

He had a meeting with Rick a week ago and he'll start the season. He'll be at the Donny test.

He's desperate to get into GP2, as Mr Orleans will know on here, so winning the title is absolutely vital especially as the cars are much more conventional and thus driver performances will be looked at a little more closely by other series' bosses.

Personally though, i'd like to see more drivers of JS's stature do the sensible thing and try and establish themselves as a paid professional A1 driver and/or a tin-top racer. Start young, earn some money, don't throw 100,000's down the loo chasing an F1 dream...

Good news, I'm very pleased to hear Jonathan will be driving, I have a lot of time for him. The Andretti Green thing I was told yesturday by one of A1's "people in the know" I to think Jonathan has a very good chance given his relationship with Greg Wheeler. As for GP2 he will need very deep pockets and a top team, RE?.

[spider]

JS doesn't have deep pockets, that's the issue. His reputation in Europe is of a good, not exceptional talent, so winning the A1 series comfortably next season would be his only chance of breaking into GP2 with limited funds. I can't see that happening somehow and if he was to go anywhere he'd be wise to do Formula Master, the standard isn't great so i'd expect a top 3 championship standing at least, and a GP2 test.

Parente certainly didn't have an 'exceptional' tag put to him and yet did the business in WSR and found some backing.

We'll see how he goes next season, he knows what he has to do...he's also a very nice fella, and would gladly accept any Facebook friend requests from ten-tenthers...!

Personally i'd like to see JS move into WTCC with Chevrolet, i think that would be great for him and the team long-term...but, A1 is his shop window...

[F3 Rocks]

Personally i'd like to see JS move into WTCC with Chevrolet, i think that would be great for him and the team long-term...but, A1 is his shop window...[/quote]

How about WSR, the championship winner gets an F1 super license. The problem for A1 drivers looking for backing to go to GP2/WSR or even Masters is they probably need to tap their A1 teams sponsors. Then the seat holders get nervous

[spider]

F3R, you're right. He, like most drivers, is hopping from one paid-for seat to another. Rick wouldn't be too keen if he tried to take Burger King with him i don't think. Personally i don't see him moving into single-seaters over here.

Sportscars and touring cars is the way forward, i mean if you look at Oliver Gavin, he's now pulling in 250k pa racing the Corvette and in the late 90s he was without a drive.

As Jani says though, A1 is becoming a viable career for drivers in and around F3/GP2 to make a living.

I wouldn't be too surprised to see Marco have the odd outing though, I'm sure he won't do worse than the rapid Buddy Rice...

[F3 Rocks]

I wouldn't be too surprised to see Marco have the odd outing though, I'm sure he won't do worse than the rapid Buddy Rice...[/quote]

It will be interesting to see who turns up on Tuesday at Silverstone representing team USA I still think it will be Andretti Green, and that would put Marco Andretti in the car. As I understand it they haven't started the car build yet also an indication as to a change

[Kiwi3]

Gee I am getting out of touch (blame the Olympics), what is happening on Tuesday? Are teams turning up to build cars then or is there a test?

[Francis Albert]

There will be only a test with the test car. The official test was cancelled.

AFAIK the teams that already have their cars have been working on them.

[F3 Rocks]

Originally Posted by F3 Rocks

I wouldn't be too surprised to see Marco have the odd outing though, I'm sure he won't do worse than the rapid Buddy Rice...

It will be interesting to see who turns up on Tuesday at Silverstone representing team USA I still think it will be Andretti Green, and that would put Marco Andretti in the car. As I understand it they haven't started the car build yet also an indication as to a change[/quote]

Marco Andretti + Dancia Patrick ? + Andretti Green = new seat holders Team USA ?

[jackschmidt]

I have to say, for a huge boost in having Ferrari on board and such... A1GP is certainly trying their best to make the impact of this benefit as little as possible by making a mess out of everything.

I am sorely disappointed with all the delays and the cancellations that have happened. I hope Mugello doesn't get cancelled. And at the rate they are going, I won't be surprised if they keep cancelling dates.

[Kiwi3]

Still yet to see a circuit map of the Jakarta street circuit. I think that race happening is as likely as Burkina Faso topping the medal tally at the Olympics. I hope I'm wrong though.

[F3 Rocks]

Originally Posted by jackschmidt

I have to say, for a huge boost in having Ferrari on board and such... A1GP is certainly trying their best to make the impact of this benefit as little as possible by making a mess out of everything.

I am sorely disappointed with all the delays and the cancellations that have happened. I hope Mugello doesn't get cancelled. And at the rate they are going, I won't be surprised if they keep cancelling dates.

I think you are very close with your Mugello comment could be announced as soon as today, with what spin I wonder?

[Kiwi3]

There is some explanation of events on the Autosport site, no mention of things affecting the start of the season:

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/69787

[dave not neil]

AFAIK only 6 teams have got cars so far. That leaves a lot to be built in just over 4 weeks!!

[jackschmidt]

Redesigning parts after 5000 km of testing. Good luck on having any cars in Mugello.

I'm not sure what's up with them but they need to have more factories churning cars. I feel they will reuse cars for Mugello, so that yellow car might end up in Malaysia's hands. Then maybe Korea gets to keep the Lola car they used for the launch.

[Go_For_Pole]

they will test in mugello instead of Silverstone, makes sense from a logistics point of view

http://www.italiaracing.net/notizia.asp?id=20227&cat=34

[dave not neil]

Originally Posted by Go_For_Pole

they will test in mugello instead of Silverstone, makes sense from a logistics point of view

http://www.italiaracing.net/notizia.asp?id=20227&cat=34

There was always going to be 2 days testing in Mugello before the race

[RichardRenes]

I still have the feeling that not the broken part, but the fact that there are only 10 cars available at this moment is the reason for breaking off the test.

Team Ned's car should have been at the ING Race Salon today here in Rotterdam, and it wasn't .. We (us Dutch) hope it will be there tomorrow...

[cos]

Originally Posted by Kiwi3

There is some explanation of events on the Autosport site, no mention of things affecting the start of the season:

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/69787

In the magazine there was a brief Q&A with someone (can't remember who, sorry) from A1, who "rubbished" rumours that they'd be starting the season with the old Lolas.

[ScotsBrutesFan]

Did A1 approach Ferrari or did Ferrari approach A1?

If the latter would there be contractural ie financial repercusions if Ferrari don't have the cars ready on time?

[Adri_tifosi]

Originally Posted by ScotsBrutesFan

Did A1 approach Ferrari or did Ferrari approach A1?

If the latter would there be contractural ie financial repercusions if Ferrari don't have the cars ready on time?

AFAIK Ferrari is not the manufacturer.