28/09/2005
FEATURE BY CHRIS BALFE
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Following his fifth place finish in the inaugural Feature race at Brands Hatch at the weekend, Team Malaysia's Alex Yoong spent Monday in London before heading back to Kuala Lumpur. The 29-year-old took time out of his hectic schedule to talk to Pitpass editor, Chris Balfe.
Alex began by reflecting on his team's weekend.
"I think it went pretty well," said the former Minardi F1 driver. "Our strategy was always to come in for an early pit stop, and I think that went in our favour. We're really pleased, we'd targeted a top five finish for the weekend, and we achieved it.
It had been reported elsewhere, that Alex - who is also seat-holder for A1 Team Malaysia - regretted the decision to split the driving responsibilities on Sunday, putting teammate Fairuz Fauzy in the car for the Sprint race and then taking over for the Feature race, this is not true says Alex: "No, that was reported wrongly," he replies. "What I'd told the reporter is that (obviously) there is a conflict, because, as a driver, you want to drive both races, but to put Fairuz in the car was the right decision.
"We'd started the weekend with Fairuz and myself sharing the driving, and it was only fair that he drive the race on Sunday. He'd tested for us really well, and done a good job in practice, and he did a really good job for us in the first race."
However, asked if his team would adopt a similar strategy in future, Alex admitted: "No, I think we'll adopt the strategy of one driver for both races. That said, I can't say for certain at this point.
"It was the right decision to make," he continues. "It's a team sport, the first race of the season, and it was important to continue with our original plan, having two drivers sharing the duties."
Asked if other drivers are being lined up to join Team Malaysia, Alex replied: "Not at this time. We don't have drivers qualified at this level. However, we've got lots of younger drivers coming up through the ranks, youngsters who are doing really well."
With the first races out of the way, did Alex feel that, as a driver, any aspects of A1 needed to be looked at.
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"The whole weekend went really well," he replies, "so I didn't come away with any negatives. Everyone was a little cagey in the first race, because Brands Hatch is a hard track, and it wasn't worth taking unnecessary risks.
"There were a few teething problems, as any new championship will have, but I couldn't really see anything seriously wrong. The crowd was brilliant, the facilities were great, the TV coverage…" he trails off.
"I haven't seen it yet," he admits, "but I heard there were a few problems." Balfe points out that it was mainly during qualifying when a lack of graphics and other information left fans - and clearly the commentators - confused and frustrated.
"I heard that," he says, "but it's a very fixable problem. Overall, I have nothing negative to say, quite the opposite."
In the wake of the two races, Pitpass forum members raised a number of issues, one being the total lack of blue flags - resulting in drivers, two or three laps down, hindering the progress of the race leaders, slow cars generally hindering quicker rivals.
"Yes, that was a problem," he admits, "and it's something that we will have to raise at the next meeting of drivers and team managers. The blue flags weren't great, and neither were the (yellow) safety car flags. We'd get the call on the radio, warning that the safety car was out, but we didn't see any flags. In the meantime you're having to watch your back watching for drivers trying to overtake you because they haven't had the (safety car) call. Those are Race Director issues that we will certainly raise.
"However, again," he adds, "it's a small thing."
At this point Balfe steps up onto his (well worn) soap box. "There are a number of race fans out there, that clearly expected A1 to be the same as F1, or better, straight out of the box."
"Yes," says Alex, "I've seen and heard some of that. However, it's plain stupid to compare them, especially after one race.
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"A1 is a brand new concept," he continues, "and it far exceeded my expectations."
"The Sprint race," Balfe continues, "because the Feature race gets underway an hour later, many fans feel that it was processional, that drivers were afraid to 'go for it', wary of damaging their cars ahead of the main event."
"I must admit that was happening," Alex admits. "It's too early to make a call as to whether the current format is the right one. All the teams are struggling with spares, there were a few accidents on Friday, and everyone is very mindful of the lack of spares.
"I know we were taking it very easy," he reveals, "Fairuz' instructions in the first race were to bring the car home," he laughs.
Asked how he feels about the qualifying format, Alex replies: "Again, it's too early to say. My initial impression, as a driver, is that it is interesting because you have to push every qualifying lap. Normally if you make a mistake in qualifying you'd back off and go for it later, but because you know that you have to do a time, and that you're unaware of white might happen later - red flags and so on - you have to go for it. Under this format you have to push, you have to go for the best possible time.
"All in all, I think it was good," he adds.
"I agree," says Balfe, "however, for any such system to work, whereby aggregate times are used, TV viewers much be kept fully up to date with the times and the (relative) gaps/times between drivers. Without this information instantly to hand, it's impossible to follow, impossible to get into the session."
Balfe asks if the points system - 10 for first, nine for second, etc - might cause drivers to 'settle' for positions.
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"Yes, I agree," is the response. "I think that was definitely happening. It's the same for everyone, but I do think it would be better to see the winner getting a few more points - you're not going to take a big risk to try and win the race when you know that it's only a one point advantage - so yes, perhaps that needs looking at. If you're going to win the championship you've got to be super-competitive and try and finish well up in the points in every race."
Despite the best efforts of some sections of the media, A1 is not attempting to 'take on' F1, however, it is inevitable that comparisons will be made. Does Alex feel, even at this early stage, that there are areas where on discipline can learn from the other?
After a long pause, he replies: "I think F1 will be making changes anyway. However, I don't think that F1 should be looking at A1 and trying to copy ideas, nor do I feel that A1 should be watching F1.
"They really are different," he continues. "F1 is all about manufacturers and constructors, it's technology driven, about getting the best people from around the world. World Cup (of motorsport) is about the human factor, it's about equal equipment. It's about getting the best people from your individual country. I really wouldn't recommend that either series look at the other too closely.
"F1 might get a bit worried that A1 is going to be really big news," he adds, "but A1 will simply bring a whole load of new sponsors and fans to motorsport, which can only be good for F1 and all other forms of motor racing.
"I really believe that this country versus country philosophy is going to bring new fans to motorsport. I believe you'll get the housewives, the grandpas, grandmas… people who don't follow motorsport normally, they are going to say, 'wow, this is easy to watch, I know who I'm going to support, I'm going to support my country'. It's a great introduction to motorsport."
Malaysians have always appeared to be a little indifferent to F1 - the price of tickets probably being a major factor - does Alex sense a difference of feeling towards A1?
"I think there'll be a good reaction," he replies. "We've already had plenty of positive feedback. Prices will be lower than F1, and I think Malaysians will adopt A1. There's no clash, the races are six month apart.
"Malaysians have been slow to embrace F1," he admits, "but every year it's getting better. This year we had record crowds, it really is getting better and better."
Balfe points out that one of the real eye-openers at Brands Hatch was the fact that the race attracted whole families, and that almost all the countries participating had large groups of fans present, waving flags and cheering.
"Exactly," says Alex, "and this reinforces what you and I already know, that this will bring new fans to motorsport."
Enough about the fans, is Team Malaysia attracting sponsors?
"There's a lot of interest," he reveals, "however, you have to remember that we've had less than a year of marketing and trying to get the team together. It's coming together, but it will take a little time."
It's time for Balfe to 'bite the bullet'. Alex took part in 14 Grands Prix for Minardi, in 2001 he partnered a young Spaniard - who went on to carve a relatively successful career for himself in F1 - for three races, then spent much of 2002 partner Mark Webber.
It wasn't an easy ride for the Malaysian youngster, especially up against such gifted talent. Many 'armchair experts' gave him a hard time, and indeed, continue to do so. Balfe asked if Alex was (is) aware of the criticism and whether it affects him.
"Of course I was aware of it," he admits, "and it was very distracting. However, it's to be expected, it's Formula One, and unless you're really getting great results you're going to come in for criticism.
"It bothered me, yes," he continues. "It bothered me because… it's the usual thing, nobody bothers to find out the truth. One they have this perception, they do the easy thing and run with it, rather than trying to find the true fact. The truth is, we didn't do any testing at all, although we brought a lot of money (to Minardi) it all dried up. I think we did five days of testing the whole year and a half that I was there, all that palaver. It was disappointing, but you move on."
"You've driven 14 Grand Prix," say Balfe, "and that's 14 more than most of us would have the balls to do."
When it was announced that Alex would be driving the Team Malaysia car, there were the usual comments on various message boards and forums, writing off the team's chances before it had begun. Does this help to spur him on?
"You know there are so many other issues to worry about, I really don't have the time," he admits. "Honestly, I have no time to think about that.
"Obviously, the driver inside of me says, 'I have had a very unfair cop here, and it would be nice to prove all the sceptics wrong. However, on the back of everything else, it's a small thing."
Asked for his realistic expectation for this first season, Alex replies: "A win or two, and top five in the championship. I think we can do it, and Fairuz is getting to get the chance to do some races as well.
"It's not about one driver," he continues, "it's about bringing on the next generation of drivers. Unfortunately there's a bit of a gap to the next lot that are coming through… but Fairuz is doing really well for our team. He did a great job at the weekend and I want to see him given the chance to shine and grow.
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"He's had a tough first season in GP2 (the former British F3 Champion racer is with the DAMS team), and I think there's a lot more of him to come, he's not showing his full potential (in GP2) at present. It would be great to give him the opportunity to win some races this year, so he can show everyone what he's got. Hopefully, when he does GP2 next year, he'll get the results he deserves."
"Finally," asks Balfe. "Those people out there that think 'oh no, A1 is not for me', what would you say to them, how would you sell the idea of A1 to them?"
"I wouldn't bother to be honest," Alex admits, causing Balfe to almost choke. "I think anybody, after seeing that first weekend, that has any doubts, is not going to change their mind.
"Everyone that I've spoke to thinks it's a fantastic concept, even those that were sceptical up to a month ago. 'It's not going to happen Alex', they'd say. Now they can see what you and I saw.
"If there's anybody out there that still thinks it's going to be shit, you're never going to change their mind. That's one thing I learned about Formula One, once people make up their mind, you can't change it."
Balfe reveals that one of several 'men down the pub' of his acquaintance, Eric Hooker, was delighted by what he saw on Sunday, describing it as 'how Formula One used to be twenty years ago'."
"It's so easy to see why," Alex enthuses, "the cars are like F1 cars used to be twenty years ago. They've got the big fat slicks, they don't have anything like the aerodynamic efficiency… OK, they don't have the power of F1 cars, but then they do have the sort of power F1 cars had twenty years ago."
"Do you think there's a certain amount of snobbery involved?" asks Balfe.
"It is snobbery," says Alex, without hesitation. "And anyone who feels nothing for A1 after last weekend… there's absolutely no point in trying to convince them."
A1 heads of to Germany then on to Portugal, other than Sepang - his home race - are there any tracks on the calendar that Alex is particularly looking forward to?
"Easter Creek (Australia) will be interesting," he admits, "that'll be a good track to race on. Laguna Seca also, I'm really looking forward to going there. That will be amazing."
Asked how ticket sales for the Malaysian round are going, Alex reveals that all the reports are very favourable.
"Brands Hatch was unbelievable," he admits, "I don't think anyone expected that sort of response. It was sold out.
"However, I don't expect quite the same response in Malaysia. In Malaysia, like China and Indonesia, going out to live events is not part of the culture It will be popular, but initially I don't believe there will be the same amount of enthusiasm as we saw at Brands Hatch. Though I'm hoping it will.
"That said, I believe it will be amazing, I think there will be a great buzz around the city. If Malaysia can get the same numbers as Brands Hatch, which I think it can, it will be brilliant. The problem with Sepang however, is that because it's such a bloody large circuit, even if it gets the same attendance as Brands Hatch, it will look half empty on TV."
Although Alex is in full flow, and clearly wouldn't mind talking for longer, it's clear that his son, Alister, is tired and hungry, and beginning to get a little restless.
Alex promises to keep Pitpass and its readers fully up to date as the season develops, and advises non-believes to give A1 a try. Let's hope they're listening.
With that he heads off for Kuala Lumpur, to begin his preparations for the Eurospeedway event on October 9. We wish him, Fairuz and Team Malaysia well.
Chris Balfe
Editor
To visit the A1 Team Malaysia website, click here
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To check out previous features from Chris, click here