06/10/2005
NEWS STORY
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Ralph Firman makes his A1 GP race debut this weekend for Team Ireland, having missed out on the Brands Hatch weekend due to his commitments in the Japanese SuperGT series with Team Honda Japan. Pitpass editor, Chris Balfe, caught up with the former Jordan F1 driver ahead of this weekend's event at the EuroSpeedway in German.
Balfe began by asking the former British F3 and Formula Nippon Champion if he was fired up for the Lausitz race weekend.
"I'm very excited," admitted Firman. "I was very disappointed to miss the first race, especially after a very promising test. I'm excited not only to be racing single-seaters again, but to be back in Europe again. I've got a lot to prove, but I've got a great team around me."
Asked if he has any previous experience of the EuroSpeedway, he replied: "Other than a walk around it yesterday, no. But I don't think I'm the only one here this weekend who is new to the track."
At Brands Hatch, Michael Devaney finished tenth in the Sprint race, but was eliminated at the start of the Feature race, what did Firman think of his teammate's performance. "Unfortunately I didn't see it," he admits, "but the team says he did a good job. I believe he was unlucky in the second race to get taken out (by Switzerland), other than that I think he did a good job, especially with his limited experience of the car. He drove a good race.
So what are the realistic aims this weekend?
"We're out to win, and claw back some of the points we lost at Brands," he shoots back without hesitation. "The aim is to win races and the championship, that's the whole aim of racing.
"That said, I am still learning about the car," he continues. "I missed a lot of testing and I've now missed a race, so I've still got a lot to learn."
Firman is scheduled to do ten of the twelve A1 race weekends, having missed Brands Hatch, the other event he'll miss out on is the Australian round at Eastern Creek.
"Sadly they clash, and Eastern Creek clashes with my final Japan race," he says. "I think the Australians will put on quite a show for their race."
Although he didn't see the Brands Hatch races, Balfe asks Ralph who, other than Nelson Piquet, looks 'useful' in the A1 series.
"I know his team had a bad weekend, but Scott Speed (USA) looked very good in testing, very fast. The Portuguese team was also very quick. Then again, Piquet knew the circuit really well, so it's hard to tell, I think it will be different here."
Firman has been involved with A1 almost since the beginning, he was one of the original test drivers, therefore we asked him to tell us a little about the car.
"When I did the tests, which was a long time ago, it was only for the first initial four days, they did a lot more after that, with other drivers, I think Robbie Kerr (Britain) even drove it at Dubai, where we're going to race.
"As for the car, it handles well," he continues. "It's got a great electronics package, the electronic gearshift works really well. It's not very pitch sensitive, therefore it's very easy to set up. Then again, I haven't raced it yet so I don't know how easy it is to overtake."
Has he experienced the 'power boost' button?
"Yes, we tried it in testing but it only really gives you one or two kilometres an hour difference, it's very minimal," he reveals.
This comes as news to Balfe, who presumed the difference would be much more. A subsequent conversation with a Zytek spokesman revealed that all sorts of variables come into effect such as set-up, the circuit, and precisely when you use the 'power boost'. The speed advantage is not set in stone, however the 'power boost' does give an extra 30bhp.
The source told Balfe that the drivers who used the device at Brands subsequently described it a "****ing brilliant".
Furthermore, the source admitted that - due to the current shortage of spares, and the fact that most teams don't yet have their second chassis - no drivers used their 'power boosts' in the Sprint race, having chosen to race conservatively, something picked up on by race fans. Once the spares situation improves and the second cars are delivered the action in the Sprint race will improve dramatically.
Some people still persist in trying to compare A1 with F1, how does Ralph feel about that, wonders Balfe
"The concept of nations against nations - which is a thing in its own right - is entirely different from F1," he replies. "The cars cannot be compared, F1 is all about amazing technology, an incredible spectacle to watch. They're around twelve to fifteen seconds a lap quicker, you cannot compare them - the only way that you could is by driving the costs (of A1) up, which is not what this series is about."
So will A1 be a good platform for upcoming talent?
"It certainly looks like it," he replies, "Hopefully I've got a chance to get back into Formula One, with the right results here (A1) you never know."
Firman's response has caught Balfe off-guard. This weekend's A1 event is almost two years to the day since the Irish driver's last outing in an F1 race, Balfe had already been intending to ask him whether F1 remained 'unfinished business', so he grabbed the opportunity with both hands.
"Yes, definitely" says Firman. "I would dearly love to be back in F1. I raced against a lot of the guys in F3 and beat them. I think I've got a lot to offer… time's running out but you never know what might happen."
"So," says Balfe, "and we're not just talking about Ralph Firman, what is it that prevents upcoming drivers getting into F1, is it all about money?"
"Well, other than F1, I haven't raced in Europe for almost nine years," he replies. "So to be back racing in Europe is a big thing for me. I think A1 will continue in its own right for many years and will help raise the profile of drivers."
As ever, there is a thorny question that has to be asked - with Balfe there is always a 'thorny question'.
Firman originally looked set to drive for Britain, indeed he took part in a shootout with Robbie Kerr, Alex Lloyd and James Rossiter for the Team Britain drive. When he was subsequently named as one of Ireland's drivers, there were claims on various message boards and forums that being born in Norwich he isn't Irish enough, and that this compromised the whole ethos of A1.
"Well I'm not 100% Irish per se," Ralph replies, "my Mum's Irish and my Dad's English. However, from when I first started motor racing I have driven with the Irish flag on one side of my car and the English on the other.
"I have always been very proud of my Irish background, when I raced in F1 I raced with an Irish racing licence and under an Irish flag."
"Not forgetting the shamrock on the helmet," adds Balfe.
Asked what the reaction to A1 has been like in Ireland, Ralph replies: "Fantastic, it's really captured the public's imagination. What we have to do now is get some good results and get the whole nation behind the team."
And what about Japan, is A1 catching on there too?
"Slowly, but in all honesty they haven't had much exposure to it. Previously they knew very little about it, but in the last couple of weeks they've been learning more and more, so yes it's beginning to get a following out there."
Although he hasn't yet experienced it for himself, the atmosphere along the A1 pitlane, and within the paddock, seems - despite the intense rivalry - relaxed and friendly, certainly compared to some other disciplines.
"I think you'd better ask me that on Monday," he laughs. "But, yes, because it is a new championship just starting off, people are working together, trying to help one another out. So yet it is quite friendly, helped a lot by the fact that many of the people working within A1 know one another. However, as the season progresses, and the championship unfolds…"