Are A1GP Cars Quick Enough?

[Kiwi3]

No I have not seen a GP2 race unfortunately, I would love to. I wouldn't notice a 2-3sec difference though and I don't think many spectators would.

[Smurfer]

Originally Posted by Paddockman

What a fuss! Just leave it as it is.
The last sprint race at Sepang was for me the best high level single seater race that i have seen for at least 10 years from an overtaking point of view.
This series IS on the right path so what we don't need to do is fiddle with it yet, let it develop!

The speed of the cars is not an issue IMO.

I have to agree Paddockman. Sepang was awesome. Such close racing at the front. Imagine how popular F1 would be if it had that sort of racing week in week out.

[SALEEN S7R]

Originally Posted by Kiwi3

No I have not seen a GP2 race unfortunately, I would love to. I wouldn't notice a 2-3sec difference though and I don't think many spectators would.

2-3 secs at Sepang, 4-5 at a high speed track like Monza. I think lots of people would notice the differnce at Sepang, depending where abouts on the track you are, on the 2 main straights A1 GP cars were doing around 175mph, GP2 would be around 185mph-190mph. The cars are fine in every respect IMO, apart from their top speed.

[chunterer]

Originally Posted by dazbaz_99

Lack of straightline speed is made up for by the low downforce and slick tyres producing close and exciting racing, they may look slow compared to F1 but they certainly arent slow. I think the spectacle the cars produce is far more important than them toucing 180-200mph. Perhaps we will see performance increases as the series develops. Im sure the rules & regs wont stay like they are year in year out.

That's a great summary, i agree. Only thing i would add is that they could make them look a bit tidier!

[Kicking-back]

The visual aspect of the design was exactly to Sheik Maktoum's wishes.

He gets what he wants

[I love 04s]

Thought I would add a little to this.

Firstly, the Zytek 3.4l in the A1 is basically identical, the speed is not lost there. Do not forget that a Sportscar is far more efficient aerodynamically in a straight line due to the closed in wheels - in an open wheeled car the wheels are spinning against the flow of the wind and they are not exactly aerodynamic themselves - nor are the exposed wishbones etc.

Secondly the Mulsanne straight at Le Mans is far longer than the straight at Sepang - far longer!!

Thirdly tell Hayanari Shimoda that the cars are not fast enough after his crash in Sepang. Make the cars faster and they are more dangerous.

PS. Speaking of Hayanari - 7th fastest in GP2 test today at P.R. HTTT- not bad going!