A1 GP to Address Drivers Problem
A1 GP boss Sheikh Maktoum has vowed to address the potential problem of drivers having different levels of experience
A1 GP rules states that drivers must carry the bloodline of their country to be eligible to race their nation's 550bhp Lola Zyteks when the series kicks off next September.
Maktoum accepts that the ability level on the gird will vary because of competing country's different motorsport heritage, and will formally unveil training plans next week.
Speaking to Autosport Atlas, Maktoum said: "There will be countries that will have problems. Without a doubt we can address this and I realised this when I started A1 GP.
"For example the gulf countries do not have the heritage. When I raced in FIA GTs I was the first driver from the gulf to race in an international championship.
"I used myself as a Guinea pig and I asked how long would it take for someone with just international karting experience to drive an A1GP car? I am five seconds off the pace of Robbie Kerr and he's a fantastic driver. I did that in eight months.
"I thought Pakistan might have a problem but they found two drivers. If Pakistan can find two drivers then anyone can. And if a driver has a bad race then the pride of their nation will make them come back and do better."
Be part of the Autosport community
Join the conversationShare Or Save This Story
Top Comments
Toyota to enter Supercars in 2026, Walkinshaw Andretti United first confirmed team
The unique circumstances that makes a NASCAR playoff underdog "scary"
How MotoGP is racing the clock to reach Mandalika on schedule
Has an F1 race ever finished behind the safety car?
When a generation of drivers learned skills for life from an atypical academy scheme
The enduring power of Prodrive at 40
Inside the archive that keeps motorsport’s most closely-guarded secrets
The choppy waters McLaren has navigated behind the scenes of its F1 success
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
