A1 has work to do - Surtees

A1GP still has some way to go before it has fully established itself on the world motor racing stage, according to John Surtees.

The 72-year-old, the only world champion on two wheels and four, is the figurehead of Team GBR in the self-styled world cup of motorsport.

A year and a half after its first race, Surtees is not entirely happy with where the formula finds itself and claims the nation versus nation selling point has not caught on as it should have.

He said: “I have been disappointed A1 has not capitalised on some superb racing, such as at the opening race of the season in Holland.

“That was what patriotism and motor racing is all about. The concept of ‘one car one nation’ appealed to me, but it has yet to really catch on.

“That’s why motorsport needs to tap into the national support available to other sports. We need a world champion in Britain.”

The series was the brainchild of Sheikh Maktoum Hasher Al Maktoum, and he guided it through a difficult first year as chairman and director.

He has since left, but the series’ new CEO, Pete Da Silva, is confident that the losses made in year one and that forecast for year two will be turned into profit in subsequent seasons.

“By this stage, I hoped the series would have progressed a little further,” said Surtees.

“There is still a degree of uncertainty and instability confronting many problems on a world level, such as an increase in costs of fuel regarding air travel.

“The business community worldwide has not accepted A1 relative to what I hoped they would do.

“The involvement of city institutions and hedge funds and so on will help to put more people’s minds at rest, although China has opened its arms to A1 and that’s a major opportunity.”

Indeed, Surtees’ own future in A1 is dependent on the series not veering off course.

“I’m keeping my hopes up that where the series is headed is right for me,” he continued.

“Provided we are heading in a direction I am happy with, I will stay with it.

“It is important that it is one rung of the ladder for young drivers, that it represents a chance to put themselves on the world scene.

“The talent is out there, it just needs to be given the opportunity.”

One such up-and-comer is Oliver Jarvis, who has already driven one race this season for Team GBR, when deputising for main pilot Robbie Kerr.

Surtees revealed that Jarvis’ future with the team is dependent on A1GP races, which broadly take place during the off-season for most motor racing series, not interfering with his competing in the 2007 Japanese F3 championship.

However, while Surtees wants to give further chances to Jarvis and other rookies, he is in A1GP to win, something that has yet to happen for Team GBR after 32 starts.

The team have shown race-winning speed in flashes, are usually among the frontrunners at each event and lie second in this season’s championship – but the breakthrough remains elusive.

“The ingredients are there to win,” vowed the 1964 Formula One world champion, who is running the team in-house after it was farmed out to all-purpose outfit Arden last season.

“We are well-structured and have good people. This year, a dedicated team has been put together with people with F1 experience a world-class group of mechanics and assistants.

“We are stronger than last year. Then, we were third in the championship and we nearly won a few times, although nearly is not good enough.

“But this is a one-make formula, which means it is extremely competitive.

“You need a degree of luck in racing, and although you do make your own, we’ve been unfortunate in certain circumstances.

“I know a win is not far away.”