Although the concept of a global motorsport series where countries competed against one another was always an attractive idea, there was a little scepticism when it came to making it work.
"From the very beginning of A1 I must admit me and a few others, from a teamperspective, didn't think it would last more than a year," said
former McLaren Formula One team member and A1 Team New Zealand's
former CEO Bob McMurray.
"However, season two came and went as did three and now we're in season
four and there's still as many cars as when the series started."
It's no mean feat, considering the current economic climate, that the series is motoring along with new countries joining and trying their hand at motor racing on a global scale.
A1GP travels around the world as much as Formula One, if not more so, and although the crowds sometimes aren't as big as the organisers would wish, it's still the only form of motorsport where a driver gets to represent his country.
"A1 doesn't have the sponsorship of F1 to sustain itself so it's probably still on probation for its future," continued McMurray.
"Having said that, it's good to see it's coming to New Zealand again and especially this time with the Ferrari-powered engines and new chassis.
"It will be exciting to see it, as it is the fastest racing series that will hit New Zealand's shores and probably the most exciting because everyone has a chance of winning."
And that's its attraction. A1GP cars are big, powerful things that to all intents and purposes are identical, and it's up to the drivers to get the most out of them.
Passing is also more likely and when you throw in the ability of being able to hit the boost button, who knows what's going to happen.
"Anybody from about 80 per cent of the teams could win a race."
