A1GP hangs in the balance, Ferrari reportedly withdraw engines

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/78767

I like A1GP but organisationally it has been a disaster area for some time. I wouldn't be surprised if the new season never got off the ground.

I'm with you on that, Andy. A1GP is a good idea, let down by shoddy organisation.

the holding company went into administration a while back

i think they are done

shame because the first 2 seasons saw quite a few decent drivers and some excellent races

i used to watch every race but lost interest since

Joe Saward sums up the story here: http://joesaward.wordpress.com/2009/10/09/a1gp-awaits-fate/

On the whole, it's unlikely to happen.

The problem with A1 GP is it's media distribution. The only coverage in the UK is on sky which limit's viewing figures. That is also coupled with competing against the established motorsport ladder with only a limited quantitiy of sponsorship and driving talent.

but A1GP just doesn't go out to a British audience andy, the entire worlds viewing doesn't come down to what thw BBC show and what Sky show. if that was the case then IRL, NASCAR, DTM, WTCC would also perish surely?

it's far far far beyond the media issues

the championship has been miss managed, they have tried to get too big too quicky, have spent huge amounts on buying top equipment

they should have had a couple of years using old stuff, like the IRL did in 96, they could have easily picked up 30 DP-01's for the first season and then taken it from there, see if the championship was successful then worried about having their own car etc

they also ran into problems with some circuits they visited

the racing at times was superb with more overtaking in one race then you got in an entire champ car season (comparison based on both series running standardised engines and tyres)

but ultimatley bad management and poor decisions have let them down

great shame

This post has been edited by stradlin24 on Oct 13 2009, 11:54 AM

I was just stating the British case as an example. The other championships you mention have large domestic markets that they rely on far more than the export programming. A1 gp doesn't have this and solely relies on an international audience. If they can't attract the coverage and exposure, they aren't going to be successful (what is the point of advertising on cars that are seen by a limited audience). Of course, I am assuming that the British case is typical. Of course, A1 GP could be compared to WTCC but the touring cars have the advantage of FIA backing that attracts sponsors. Also, the organisers of WTCC probably know what they are doing.

The Surfers race was cancelled some weeks back and now A1GP has announced that rounds in both China and Malaysia will now not go ahead:

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/80017

The rest of that article makes pretty grim reading, as well. I think it's safe to assume now that A1GP is well and truly dead.

So that would make Team Ireland undefeated A1GP champions

Certainly would!