Members of the A1GP paddock have reacted overwhelmingly in support of the news that A1GP will use Ferrari engines from next season. It was announced on Thursday that the legendary Italian motorsport manufacturer will provide powerplants to all cars from next season, as well as consult on the design and manufacture of the new chassis. The partnership will last for six-years and also includes supplying engines and consultation on chassis design and manufacture for the new A2GP series, a regional championship which will begin testing in 2009.

Launched in March 2004, the A1GP World Cup of Motorsport is more than just another racing phenomenon; it's an entirely new concept. Pitting driver against driver and country against country for the first time in history, A1GP brings together 22 nations to compete as equals, without financial or technological advantage. With three days of on-track action, an A1GP event offers a rare opportunity for fans to interact with teams and drivers. Exclusively inclusive, A1GP brings the thrill of international motorsport to billions of fans across the globe. Now entering its third season and taking in a mix of established world-famous venues plus exciting new state-of-the-art facilities and tight twisty street circuits, A1GP promises to deliver high-speed adrenalin fuelled action at every turn.

A1 Team Germany seat holder Willi Weber has many special links with Ferrari, having managed Michael Schumacher, who won multiple Formula One titles with the Italian concern. ‘This partnership is a genuine coup – idealistically, but also from the technical and economical stand point,’ Weber said. ‘On an entirely emotional, subjective level there is not a better decision. Does a brand name exist that better embodies motorsport worldwide? I don’t think so. Ferrari is a name that ties generations of fans to it, that represents a unique environment and that continues to enthral me after decades in motorsport.’

The sentiment was echoed by other seat holders. Tameem Auchi, A1 Team Lebanon seat holder, said: ‘This is a landmark in the history of A1GP and offers both the series and A1 Team Lebanon wide commercial opportunities. Partnering with such an iconic brand can only bring us increased attention and open up new markets and new audiences. We hope it will help to grow the profile of the series in Lebanon and the wider Arab world.”

A1 Team New Zealand seat holder Colin Giltrap also gave his thoughts. He said: ‘It's a phenomenal deal with one of history's most exalted brands. In addition, A2GP will be great for young New Zealand drivers and open up more opportunities for our emerging talent to compete on a world stage. With a smaller engine A2GP will be perfect for bringing our young guns through the ranks.’

Many of the drivers also cannot wait to get in and drive the new Ferrari-powered A1GP cars when they are built next season. A1 Team Great Britain driver Robbie Kerr said: ‘From a driver’s point of view this news is terrific. The only way to drive a Ferrari single-seater has, until now, been through Formula One – this agreement means that we will have the opportunity to race with Ferrari technology in A1GP and that is something I would relish. As a driver you want to have the best technology available.
 

'And I am certain Ferrari will provide a very exciting product. Having over twenty Ferrari-powered A1GP cars lining up on the grid is going to encourage other top drivers to the series, and really appeal to fans.’

Meanwhile at the Circe Club in Milan the A1 GP Team Italy was recently officially presented. This team will represent Italy in the uncoming A1 GP world championship. This motorsport competition was conceived in 2005 by Sheikh Maktoum Hasher Maktoum Al Maktoum and is organized in different races, in which participate only national teams from 23 different countries. At the presentation attended Piercarlo Ghinzani, conceiver and owner of Team Italy, the drivers of the team “azzurra” (Enrico Toccacelo, Edoardo Piscopo, Giuseppe Termine e Paolo Bossini) and Tony Teixiera, chairman of the A1 GP World Cup of Motorsport.

“We are expecting a great world championship – declared Tony Teixeira – the countries are more and more competitive with some of the best driver: the level on the races is very high. The rules of the competition oblige everyone to have identical cars which renders the races spectacular: the cars performance are equal, indeed the driver’s talent is crucial.” The A1 GP Chairman has insisted on the singularity of these series, which renders it very different from Formula1: “A1 GP is complementary to Formula1. Our sport modality is unique and the race period is different: they run during the summer, we race in winter. This already underlines that we are not in competition.” “At the present time – concluded Teixeira – we have signed television contracts with 58 TV channels broadcasted in 31 countries and assured the coverage of 80% of the world territory. The media and fans expectations are great. People are also very interested in our important environmental commitment. Our fuel, produced by Petrochem Careless, is mixed with 30% of ethanol (which will reduce a third of the CO2 emissions) and we are also studying the recycling of tyres and the removal of carbon from the mix. What about Italy? We are considering, to organize a GP in your country. For the moment I cheer Team Italy, which has already shown its competitiveness.”

“When I first met the organizers of these new series – remembered Piercarlo Ghinzani – I realized that a real new important thing was born in the world of motor sport, in a certain way an Olympic championship. Countries that until yesterday were out of the motor sport world, have finally the opportunity to compete and win in this discipline. A1 GP is fascinating; there is no technological gap, all teams have the same chances. Moreover, without expenses for technological evolution, costs are quite limited and therefore more teams can participate. Admired by this new exciting reality, I have decided to bring our Country to the A1 GP World Cup of Motorsport, also by giving new opportunities to our drivers. I am convinced that Team Italy could become a perfect means for Italian brands and for the “Made in Italy”, because the rate cost/image return is profitable, convenient and above all secure. The first year was very hard. However, besides our late entrance in the championship and the competition of the other teams, we have maturated a good experience. In 2005-2006 we have reached the 14th place, and the following year the 7th. This year we expect to climb to the podium."