A1 Race

[affan66]

i hope the Malaysian A1 team will have programmes to ready the future racers... It would be a good progression for some folks rather than go to F1 coz F1 costs huge money.

I enjoy A1 more as the machines are all almost equal and puts the driver's skill as core.

Alex could have done better. The other driver (Fairuz?) is still not up to mark but I don't see Alex gobbling up both races.

 

[ALBundy]

In my humble opinion, I think aspiring F1 drivers should join the GP2 or Formula 3 before taking part in the A1 GP. A1 cars easily have more than twice the hp and hence would be pretty difficult for a novice racer.

That being said, I think the present arrangement works pretty well between Alex and Fairuz...its clear that Alex is faster than him but maybe Fairuz is still on the learning curve? Other than Alex, any better single seater drivers out there in M'sia?

 

[fabianyee]

IMHO, during Alex's stint in F1, he was under enormous pressure not to crash. Was it true that he would need to pay for any damages to the car? He may be a good driver but he's just not prepared for the enormous task to race in F1...

Anyway, it's still early to gauge the success of A1. It's a new series and bound to have teething problems to overcome. For one, it takes up too much time to follow the sprint and the feature race (with breaks in between). It gets a bit tiring as compared to F1, 1 qualifying and then 2 hours+ full race..

 

[feisaldzul]

i cant wait for Alex to stand on the podium...

 

[ALBundy]

Originally posted by fabianyee@Nov 11 2005, 07:03 PM
IMHO, during Alex's stint in F1, he was under enormous pressure not to crash. Was it true that he would need to pay for any damages to the car? He may be a good driver but he's just not prepared for the enormous task to race in F1...

Anyway, it's still early to gauge the success of A1. It's a new series and bound to have teething problems to overcome. For one, it takes up too much time to follow the sprint and the feature race (with breaks in between). It gets a bit tiring as compared to F1, 1 qualifying and then 2 hours+ full race..

Not too sure about that tho' but an insider very close to alex mentioned that he didnt get enough testing mileage on a F1 car (minardi just doesn't have the budget to do plenty of testing), compared to Webber who has plenty of experience in a F1 car as a tester before he raced for Minardi.

 

[Daniel]

I totally agree with Necc,

Alex had the chance to prove himself in F1, even though he did not deserve that seat! Look at his qualifications....... most of the races he did not even get to qualify!

How many chances does he need? Most Moto GP riders get a 2 - 3 year contract.....some even not for a full season! If you do not preform well enuff, there goes the contract for your next season. But look at Alex Bo-Lor-Yong. Still in professional level racing and making an arse of himself.

He just can't cut it as a professional driver.
Guess he's too thick-skinned to realise it. DUDE!, look at your trophy case.......any trophys? Nada!

Maybe he should stick to Slot Cars. Less skill involved.

 

[Jules]

wah.....brave words you guys.

the reality is you need talent, connection and plenty of cash to go far & stay long in F1 or any big league racing. Alex may have some talent, lots of Malaysian connection and also some cash to start his career ( rich grandparents...) and later some good connection to the govt, Magnum to break into F1.

F1 is a business, and if you fail to fill the cash register - your driving slot stops. The latest victim is Narain, the Indian F1 driver.

Looking at the present A1 chmapionship - Alex is there as one of the shareholders for the Malaysian team, as far as I know. A shareholder tha drives as well, mind u. A1 is no doubt still a business so the above applies, but hopefully less $$$ driven.

In terms of driving ability - I can say that there are far worse drivers in the A1 grid than him. I think Fairuz Fauzy ( 2nd son of Mohd Fauzy, owner of MOFAZ, MORAC etc etc ) has also some talent, a lot of MONEY and hence he's there too. He lack experience but is young.

Some of you said Alex is overstaying...but if he has the money and not many other hopeful Malaysian drivers can bring the cash, dun you agree it's better he is representing Malaysia.

Yes, managing a team is an obvious next step for him but again, it's a money game - no driver with money, who is there to manage.

So what's not professional about the whole deal? You have the money, you are in. If you have money and talent, all the better! Bringing in the money takes skills too, if you dun realise that.....

I dun know Alex personally but at least he has done more to put Malaysia on the motorsports fratenity than most of us.

As matter of fact - I have some Malaysian CHAMPION kart drivers who wants to break into the F1 league eventually. You all want to help? No need go far - pls get them into Formula BMW first. PM me for sponsorship details.

So stop talking, bring on the cash...

 

[Daniel]

I can't wait for Stevie Wonder to join A1 and secure himself as driver No.1.

 

[BMW2002]

Originally posted by Daniel@Nov 13 2005, 09:19 PM
I can't wait for Stevie Wonder to join A1 and secure himself as driver No.1.

:huh:

Sorry, just not getting it??

 

[PiedPiper]

Originally posted by Jules@Nov 13 2005, 12:42 PM
wah.....brave words you guys.

the reality is you need talent, connection and plenty of cash to go far & stay long in F1 or any big league racing.

F1 is a business, and if you fail to fill the cash register - your driving slot stops.

Looking at the present A1 chmapionship - Alex is there as one of the shareholders for the Malaysian team, as far as I know. A shareholder tha drives as well, mind u. A1 is no doubt still a business so the above applies, but hopefully less $$$ driven.

As matter of fact - I have some Malaysian CHAMPION kart drivers who wants to break into the F1 league eventually. You all want to help? No need go far - pls get them into Formula BMW first. PM me for sponsorship details.

So stop talking, bring on the cash...

Touche Jules!!

Many do not realize that it takes more than just talent to be able to race in F1 or even A1 for that matter. Driving fast is one thing, the ability to think conducively while racing, the maturity of the driver and the commitment from the team and their sponsors are another thing which is hard to come by. Especially here.

Sourcing for a sponsor here is difficult. I know, I used to do it for one of the Malaysian race teams and even then we were not asking the amout that it takes to run an A1 car even...and boy were we lucky to get a supportive cash rich sponsor!

Motorsports is really a money driven venture!

Daniel - If you say that Alex is such a bad driver, why don't you show him some moves then? So brave and so talented are we to judge them...but none of us has ever driven an F1 car...kan??

Fabian - "during Alex's stint in F1, he was under enormous pressure not to crash. Was it true that he would need to pay for any damages to the car?"
-yeah fab, I heard that too!!-

:blink: :blink:

 

[tyke]

i think we all shld show more support for our malaysian sportspersons....

evn though alex isnt wht some ppl call f1 material,he still managed to finish 5th in the a1 series in australia!
and we r constantly in the points.shared 10th on the points table i think.
many malaysians r unforgiving,as we only give thm 1 chance to prove thm selves and thn....strike 3!!!!ur out!
given a crash and pay policy,would u push ur car knowing tht in the back of ur mind,u hav to compensate for wht evr damage is caused to the car?
c'mon guys.....be proud!if we want thm to do well,we need to show our moral support too right?

rgds,
-brad-

 

[supergripen]

anyone going to the A1 at sepang this weekend?? i'll be going on sunday..