August 17, 2005. Copyright 2005, Graphic News. All rights reserved Formula 1 v A1 GP cars compared By Bruce Jones LONDON, August 17, Graphic News: Formula 1 is the standard by which other single-seaters are compared. This autumn, though, a new formula for powerful single-seaters is being launched to entertain racing fans through F1Õs close-season, with the grid made up of national teams and points being credited to countries rather than drivers, so it will be India versus Pakistan and France versus Great Britain rather than Ferrari versus McLaren and Williams versus Renault. If the cars were to sit side-by-side, an onlooker would pick out assorted minor differences, but the largest of these is invisible, for itÕs the cost, with the spec-built A1 GP cars costing a fraction of their hybrid F1 counterparts. The easiest difference to spot is that the F1 carÕs tyres are treaded, those on the A1 GP slick and wider at the rear. That said, the similarities outnumber the differences. Their dimensions are similar, with height, width and length differing only by fractions. However, this is because they both try to package the car as small as possible around the driver. Because A1 GP cars are standard, though, they are heavier as there isnÕt the need to spend thousands of pounds paring off weight. The carsÕ aero packages are markedly different, with the F1 carÕs wings considerably more complex as well as having bargeboards and turning vanes that the A1 GP car lacks. The simpler wings on the A1 GP cars mean that the drivers will be able to get closer to the car in front without losing too much downforce, enabling better slipstreaming down the straights and thus more overtaking. F1 cars have high-revving lightweight V10 engines (although they will be downgrading to 2,400cc V8s in 2006) that push out up to 950bhp, whereas the heavier and less-stressed A1 GP V8s, built by Zytek Engineering, produce 520bhp. The A1 GP cars have a trick up their sleeves, as the drivers have a button that they can press that will give them an extra 30bhp for a limited period to help with overtaking. F1 gearboxes are semi-automatic, whereas A1 GP drivers will use a manual gearbox to test their skill and liven up the race order should a driver make a mess of a gearchange. F1 and A1 GP cars have yet to test at the same circuit on the same day, but with almost double the power, you are safe in guessing that the F1 car would be way out front. /ENDS ------------------ Tech data comparison: Formula 1 Chassis Construction: Carbonfibre/aluminium honeycomb Length: 4,548mm Overall width: 1,800mm Bodywork width: 1,600mm Wheelbase: 3,097mm Front track: 1,451mm Rear track: 1,422mm Weight: 605kg (including driver and camera) Engine No of cylinders/format: V10 Vee angle: 90 degrees No of valves: 40 Displacement: 3,000cc Max engine speed: 18,000rpm Power output: 950bhp Weight: 94kg (part of 605kg total) Suspension Front: Upper and lower wishbones and pushrods Rear: Upper and lower wishbones and pushrods (Some use carbon links in place of wishbones) Transmission Gears: 7 + reverse Gear change: Semi-automatic Clutch: Paddle shift Brakes: Carbon discs and pads Tyres Type: Treaded Height -- front: 660mm, rear: 660mm Width -- front: 355mm, rear: 380mm ------------------ A1 GP Chassis Construction: Carbonfibre/aluminium honeycomb Length: 4,833mm Overall width: 1,921mm Height: 982mm Wheelbase: 3,000mm Front track: 1,476mm Rear track: 1,468mm Weight: 700kg Engine No of cylinders/format: V8 Vee angle: 90 degrees No of valves: 40 Displacement: 3,400cc Max engine speed: tbc Power output: 520bhp plus boost button Torque: 330lb/ft Weight: 120kg Suspension Front and rear: Double wishbones and pushrod-operated twin coil over damper construction Transmission Gears: 6 + reverse Gear change: Manual Clutch: Paddle shift Brakes: Steel discs and carbon pads Tyres Type: Slicks Height -- front: 660mm, rear: 660mm Width -- front: 298mm, rear: 406mm