i1 Series car gets the nod from drivers

The i1 Supercar Series car hit the track at the Yas Marina circuit here Tuesday and was given the thumbs up by all the drivers, both Formula One and Indian, after a day-long pre-season test session.

Heinz-Harald Frentzen, who clocked the fastest timing of the day, 1 minute, 00.505 seconds, was pleased as he got out of the Radical SR3 car and later said that it was far better than he had expected.

“It has a lot of downforce, much like a Formula One car, but without as much bhp, and the grip levels are really good through the corners. It handles well too and the weight distribution is good. I expect close racing, looking at the lap times,” said the 44-year old German, who retired from Formula 1 in 2003.

“It is like a toy, but a big and fast one,” exclaimed Frenchman Jean Alesi, the former Formula One star with 201 starts and 32 podium finishes during a 12-year career.

“It is far better than I had expected and I feel there is lot more in the car. But I didn’t want to push since there is another driver who will be driving this car,” he said.

Another former Formula One driver, Giancarlo Fisichella, second quickest on the day, said: “It was my first time in this car and was very happy with the session. There was a bit of oversteer and locking up of tyres, but with some set-up changes, these can be rectified.”

India’s Karun Chandhok heaped compliments on the car saying he was very impressed with the handling and grip levels as he was the third fastest, ahead of Alesi.

“Because of the high grip level, we could carry a lot of speed through the corners and the car is very nimble. It is the first time I am driving a prototype. The gearbox too is very good,” said Chandhok who made his F1 debut last year.

Malaysia’s first F1 driver, Alex Yoong praised the car’s handling and felt that the oversteer elements adds a bit of fun.

“I didn’t mind the oversteer as it is fun, but overall, it is a good package especially for youngster who are making their way up in racing. I can say that the racing will be very close and I am sure, the spectators will enjoy the championship,” said Yoong.

Vitantonio Liuzzi, the former Force India driver, said: “It is a Formula One car with less power. At least, you will not see a 10-second gap between the first and last car, unlike in F1. That is great for racing.”

The day’s proceedings began with Armaan Ebrahim clocking the fastest in the first session, finishing ahead of current F1 drivers Liuzzi and Sakon Yama and said he simply enjoyed the outing without really worrying about the set-up or the car behaviour.

“I just went out and drove. The car handled very well, but you have to brake earlier than you would do in other Formula cars, but once you get used to it, it is good fun to drive it,” said the 22-year old Ebrahim.

For all that, series co-ordinator Robin Webb pointed out that the test session times are at best indicative, but not much can be read into them.

“Some of the cars were re-fuelled, some started out on full tanks and there was no ballasts fixed to make the cars equal in weight. So, the times only suggest that it will be very close racing, but today, it was all about the drivers getting a feel of the car,” said Webb.