I think your comment is misleading because you are concluding that because some cars are harder to handle, controls are similar. But that is also true for wheels. So I don't see how this is a problem specific to the implementation of the gamepad.
The underlying debate here is perfectly explained by GHG and Tyler. Do you want the game to offer extra layers of hidden gamepad assists to compensate and make all cars easy to drive with a gamepad? Execution vs approach is what we are talking about.
You make it sound like gamepad controls are mostly the same as PC1. Like nothing's been done. And that's not only untrue, but also not possible. So many core physics elements have been changed, feeling the same would mean making a lot of work with the gamepad to make the new physics feel like those of PC1. Does that sound weird? Yes, very much so.
So basically, the execution is different, IMO, much, much better. Now, the approach is that of substituting a wheel with a gamepad. Is that the right approach? I honestly don't know. I guess it comes down to each player and probably having options to enable or disable these assists would be the way to go. Although that would open a can of worms for online and competitive play.