New Zealand A1GP team owner Colin Giltrap says the World Cup of Motorsport will go from strength to strength now that Ferrari has signed on.
Ferrari has signed a six-year agreement to manufacture and supply all A1GP engines and will design and consult on the manufacture of allcar chassis for use in 2008-09 and beyond.
Giltrap agrees with A1GP chairman Tony Teixeira's belief that partnering with Ferrari will officially position A1GP as one of the most significant series in the world. "This is momentous," he said. "It's a phenomenal deal with one of history's most exalted brands. There is simply no better organisation for A1GP to partner with and the potential for growth is huge."
Ferrari will also be integral to the development of A2GP, a regional single-seat racing car series developed by A1GP to begin testing in 2009. Ferrari will supply all engines and design and consult on the manufacture of the new chassis.
"A2GP will be great for young New Zealand drivers and open up more opportunities for our emerging talent to compete on a world stage," Giltrap said. "With a smaller engine, A2GP will be perfect for bringing our young guns through the ranks."
Giltrap is delighted New Zealand was an early adopter of the A1GP concept, finishing fourth in the first season and runner-up to Germany last season, and that Taupo is one of just 10 venues to host a round.
"This new relationship will undoubtedly change the landscape for A1GP. I'm pleased we've been part of it from the outset because it's going to become increasingly difficult to secure a franchise as the series blossoms."
Teixeira said A1GP will be meeting its commercial partners over the next few weeks to discuss opportunities to promote the new partnership.
The second round of A1GP takes place at Brno in the Czech Republic this weekend, with New Zealand 9th out of 22 nations after a challenging first round in the Netherlands.
