Team Ireland - Gary Anderson interview

Gary Anderson backs the A1GP experience
Former Jordan Technical Director impressed by the challenge

Dublin, Ireland, 21 February 2007; In an exclusive interview for A1GP.com experienced Formula One designer and engineer Gary Anderson has applauded the A1GP World Cup of Motorsport for providing close racing and a world-class engineering challenge thanks to the technical equality of the 550bhp A1GP cars.

Having engineered the A1 Team Ireland car for the last two races, Anderson took the opportunity to praise the way in which the Irish team has been set up, rather than going down the easier route of subcontracting to an established outfit, and admits that the calibre of the series and the high level of competition has impressed him.

Anderson, who is also a broadcaster in Formula One for Irish satellite channel Setanta, has three decades of experience as mechanic, engineer and designer, including many years as technical Director of Jordan Grand Prix and subsequently Stewart Grand Prix/Jaguar Racing.

"I'm a racer at heart," admits Anderson. "I wasn't sure the public would buy into the country (versus country) thing, but having been to two races now I think A1GP is a fantastic concept and I find myself standing on the pit wall shouting 'come on, you've got to get past the USA car!' A1 Team Ireland has a great group of guys and the management have gone about it the right way. We're constantly building our experience levels with the car - there's certainly plenty more to come."

Facing the inevitable question concerning comparisons between F1 and A1GP, Anderson adds; "If you find a problem in F1 there's a solution because you can do anything. In A1GP you identify where your deficits are and you have to deal with them. To be honest it's probably more challenging in A1 then F1."

-credit: team ireland