UpdateF1 >> Formula 1 News > A1 poses F1 threat?

Not so, according to series creator

(GMM) According to some, the biggest threat to formula one is not the 'breakaway' band of huge carmakers, but a member of the Dubai royal family.

A 28-year-old known formally as His Highness Sheik Maktoum Hasher Maktoum Al Maktoum, will see his baby - the A1 Grand Prix open-wheeler series - kick off in England this weekend, as F1 races in Brazil.

Although the so-called 'World Cup of Motorsport' boasts big names and former F1 personalities, though, Maktoum played down the inevitable comparison with formula one.

Asked if A1 could ultimately replace F1 as the pinnacle of motor sport, he told BBC Radio Four: ''I don't think so.

''They are two completely different concepts. F1 is driven by technology, innovation, manufacturers. We have provided a platform to find out which driver and which country are the world's best.''

He said this is not possible in F1.

''For example (in) the Olympics, you can't have one javelin heavier than the other. We have built fifty A1 cars. They're all equal.''

'A1', moreover, is designed to mostly fill formula one's non-racing 'winter test' period.

FIA president Max Mosley describes A1 as a 'very interesting idea' but denied that it differs a great deal from the other 'one-make' categories such as the new GP2.

But he conceded: ''The idea could give rise to a commercially successful series, which may stand out from the other one-make series.''

Written: Thu, 22 Sep 2005 06:14:59