His Highness Sheikh Maktoum Hasher Maktoum Al Maktoum, has announced the signing of the first six national seat holders and unveiled the final specification of the A1 Grand Prix car in London today. The UK, South Africa, China, Portugal, Pakistan and the Lebanon are the first countries to have secured seats for the winter one-make championship commencing in Autumn 2005.
“This is a significant step forward for A1 Grand Prix," stated Maktoum. "We set ourselves demanding targets and six months down the line we are exceeding our own expectations. We are delighted to welcome all six national seat holders to the series, and the fact we have many more countries waiting to announce their participation in the series means our concept has been wholeheartedly embraced by both the business and motorsport fraternities.”
The definitive specification UK car has a distinctive red, white and blue livery that reflects the nationality of the team that will be running it. It is the culmination of hours of hard work on the designer’s drawing board, in a wind tunnel and on test tracks at Snetterton, England and Jerez, Spain.
The London ’unveiling’ of both the first seat holders and car is the latest in a list of significant landmarks in the creation of what will be the first World Cup of Motorsport. The international FIA sanctioned series, which commences Autumn 2005 in motor racing’s traditional ‘off’ season, is unique and will bring together a sustainable business model with the high speed excitement of motorsport, the series organisers claim.
The cars will be powered by a 3.4 litre V8 A1 Grand Prix power plant which will give the series organisers flexibility in providing more power if needed. Testing started in earnest in July and specialists in their fields were brought on board to strengthen the team. Former Formula 1 driver Ralph Firman became the series’ test driver, while the man who oversaw Bentley’s historic 2003 Le Mans 24 Hour Race win, John Wickham, was given the task of running the test programme and is now working full time for A1 Grand Prix as Operations Manager.
A very important aspect of testing was to find the right tyre supplier. Feedback from the team confirmed that the Cooper Tire & Rubber Company had the ideal product and a deal was duly signed with them in early September.
The belief that A1 Grand Prix will be a compelling spectacle for all motorsport fans was strongly endorsed when its first broadcast licensee was announced in August. An exclusive deal was struck with Sky Sports for live coverage in the UK of not only the races, but also the practice and qualifying sessions. A1 Grand Prix will be announcing more national seat holders in a few weeks’ time at the Official South African Seat Holders’ Launch event in Johannesburg, South Africa.
