Full Throttle

Pun intended.

Team South Africa technical and sporting director Mike Carroll believes he has the answer to the question many are asking: “Just what makes them Frogs so damn fast!?”

Some have said it’s the talent level (A thought I’ve entertained) of the teams two chauffeurs, Nicolas Lapierre and Alexandre Premat. In addition to their native talent they both have plenty of time at the wheel of similar cars in the European GP2 Series (Premat has just resigned for the ‘06 season).

As Carroll points out it’s much more than talent and sitting in a familiar monocque. They are both reaping the benefits of what can be best described as a NASCAR-like Roush or Hendrick data mining project.

France’s team coordinator DAMS not only have a hand Carroll’s South African efforts, but also in Team Switzerland and Team Mexico. Four teams, four drivers (at least France has alternated their two) and a lot of data input the other 21 A1GP teams are lacking.

Explains a lot doesn’t it? Carrol thinks as the Championship wears on “the countries with less experienced drivers are catching up, and the teams that aren’t running four drivers are catching up too.”

Yea Riiight! There hasn’t been any catching up to this point with the exception of the “Swiss Mr.” Jani Neel who broke France’s winning streak last round and prevented a ten spot being posted in the “W” column.

For the sake of competition, and health of the Series, I hope Carroll is correct but as long as France and Switzerland have access to extra performance data and driver inputs I can’t see it happening.

Cross Posted @ Asian MotorSport Blog and Fast Machines.

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