15/07/2007
NEWS STORY
It would appear that Indonesia has become disillusioned with A1 GP, with State Minister for Youth and Sports Affairs Adhyaksa Dault announcing that, following a breakdown in talks with A1 GP organizers, the series would not be revisiting the country when the third series gets underway later this year.
"The organizers have required us to pay US$6 million in fees, Adhyaksa told reporters. "We deem such a large amount too costly for us"
He then continued, in what will probably be music to the ears of Bernie Ecclestone; "We prefer to host other races, like Formula 3000 or GP2".
Although the country is now unlikely to host a race, it will continue to enter a car in the series. However, it is understood that Indonesia will 'go it alone' rather than using the same technical team as Team Malaysia.
Indonesia driver Ananda Mikola (right) claims that he and the team were treated like second-class citizens: "I lost my motivation to race in A1 GP because the team keeps me as the No. 2 driver," he said, according to the Jakarta Post. "I will never make the podium."
Meanwhile, Adhyaksa announced that his ministry has established an interdepartmental task force in order to speed up the development of motor sports in Indonesia. Indonesia World Motorsport, as it will be known, will identify talented drivers and establish an independent team to organize international motor sports in the country.
"We think the task force is needed to synchronize efforts, especially to hold world-class races," he said. "The Indonesia Motorsports Association can't be able to handle such an enormous task on its own."
"The task force will also decide on priority races or events we will take part in and the human resources needed for those races," added task force chairman Juliari P. Batubara, who is also chief of the Indonesia Motorsports Association.
Adhyaksa said the task force would involve various relevant government institutions, including the Customs and Excise Office, Tax Office and the State Ministry for State Enterprises, in order to co-ordinate sponsorship of events by state-owned companies.
Thus far, A1 GP has only officially confirmed one race for the third season, Zandvoort.