01/11/2005
NEWS STORY
In the wake of comments made by former F1 star, John Watson, now commentating on A1 GP for Sky Sports, GP Masters' Nav Sidhu was keen to put the record straight.
"Johnny Herbert is not contesting the GP Masters event," Sidhu told Pitpass. "We have never at any point announced officially Johnny's involvement in the GP Masters race for exactly the reasons John points out.
"Johnny will, however, contest the Minardi two-seater race which is one of several support races for GP Masters in South Africa.
"We have no intentions to make anyone look like a twat!" he added, referring to the fear voiced by Watson.
"Of all the Masters that I have spoken to in recent months, not one is doing anything but taking this seriously," Sidhu continued. "The 600bhp GP Masters is no toy and unless the drivers prepare and take this seriously, the cars will bite!
"Many people under estimated and doubted the capabilities of Grand Prix Masters to design, engineer and produce what is a thoroughbred racing machine and while entertainment is the order of the day, taking it anything less than seriously will be very visible on race day!
"There is naturally a difference in fitness levels between drivers and Kyalami will highlight this, I'm sure," he continued. "We are, however, close to finalising a 2006 race calendar and for many, it will be a busy winter as fitness preparations take precedence ahead of the 2006 campaign.
Referring to Watson's suggestion that Porsche Boxters might have been preferable to single-seaters, Sidhu said: "Having exposed openly both the cars and Masters to fans and media alike at Silverstone last week, there is clearly an overwhelming and unanimous buy-in from all parties concerned and this stems primarily from the purist nature of our product. Minimal driver aids, slick tyres and world champions combined with brutal single seaters all combine to generate the required 'thrill factor.'
"Putting the Masters into anything less than Grand Prix cars means it's no longer Grand Prix racing in the eyes of our most important constituent - the race fans.
"Formula One will always be the pinnacle of motor racing and nothing will ever change. All GP Masters does is remind everyone of the glorious and sensational heritage of the sport we so love."