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The new A1GP Powered by Ferrari cars were in testing action again over
three days last week - on UK soil for the first time at Silverstone
International Circuit in Northamptonshire. The new black A1GP liveried
machine made its debut running alongside the yellow test car as the
first real comparisons could be seen on a circuit where the previous
A1GP cars had clocked up extensive testing miles.
On Monday and Tuesday Danny Watts was at the wheel of the car, so
becoming the first driver to have tested both the old and new A1GP
cars. “It has noticeably more power,” he commented. “The new aero
package helps driving through the high speed sections of the track even
quicker. The carbon brakes work extremely well meaning you can brake a
lot later than you ever could before. It’s much more like a
thoroughbred racing car. Overall the performance is a step up in every
department. I thoroughly enjoyed driving the car.” FIA GT Champion,
Thomas Biagi, drove all three days while Jonny Kane was also in the car
on Wednesday.
The programme for Silverstone also
included testing the new PowerBoost system. The new 8-cylinder Ferrari
engine has a power output around 600bhp when drivers hit the PowerBoost
button, giving approximately an extra 60 horsepower overall compared to
last season. An impressed Watts said: “The extra 60bhp you get with the
push-to-pass will open up more overtaking opportunities at every
circuit A1GP visits this season which should make racing even more
exciting.”
The test also allowed the opportunity
for A1GP’s photographer to get the first shots of the new Ferrari
engine out of the car.
The design team has also
released the car’s dimensions as below, showing the new car to be
slightly shorter in length but wider overall with a slightly higher
ride height.
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A1GP Powered by Ferrari Car Dimensions
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Overall length
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4814mm
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Wheelbase
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3100mm
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Front track
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2014mm (including tyre)
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Rear track
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2028mm (including tyre)
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Ride height
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27mm
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A1GP
General Manager, Technical and Operations, John Wickham: “The test was
very encouraging and both test drivers gave very useful feedback. The
brakes have much, much better performance, the engine is stronger, and
it is more powerful and has more torque. We have obviously moved
forward with this car. With this we have now covered 6100-kilometres
testing with the first test car and 581-kilometres with the second.”
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