History A1_Grand_Prix

1 history

1.1 first season
1.2 second season
1.3 third season
1.4 fourth season
1.5 fifth season
1.6 champions

history

the nation-based a1gp concept founded sheikh maktoum hasher maktoum al maktoum of dubai, in 2003. once series had received backing of fia, management structure including new executive directors brian menell , tony teixeira appointed oversee sale of franchises operation of international teams. thirty franchises made available; twenty-three of them restricted specified nations, while other 7 opened tender nations had not been targeted.

first season

twenty-five of franchises purchased in time 2005–06 a1 grand prix season, began on 25 september 2005 a1 grand prix of nations great britain @ brands hatch circuit in kent, united kingdom. first season planned 12 rounds (24 races, 2 each weekend); cancellation of race scheduled curitiba, brazil in january 2006 reduced number 11. nelson piquet, jr. won inaugural race of series a1 team brazil. winning form not continue. wins @ estoril , malaysia saw a1 team france build sizeable gap. start of winter break, france had run away lead a1 team switzerland 28 points behind. @ final race of season in shanghai, a1 team france crowned first-ever a1 grand prix world champions 172 points. switzerland second 121 points , a1 team great britain third 97 points.

katherine legge first woman drive a1 grand prix cars during test session in december 2005 on dubai autodrome.

second season

changes made 2006–07 season race durations , distances improve spectacle attendees , tv viewers. 2006–07 schedule released on 7 july 2006, first race @ circuit park zandvoort on 1 october 2006, , last race @ brands hatch on 29 april 2007. new teams team singapore , team greece joined competition team turkey failed secure funding season. team austria, team japan, team portugal , team russia did not return second season. however, after securing funding team portugal competed in final 4 rounds of second season in south africa, mexico, china , britain. team germany won series 128 points, 35 points lead ahead of team new zealand.

on 29 september, sheikh maktoum announced resigning position chairman , chief executive of series, seeking have place taken increased shareholder interests:

maktoum announced intended resignation in september , exit organisation confirmed in december.

third season

sepang international circuit a1 race



fourth season

the 2008–09 season first season in new powered ferrari a1gp car used. according 2007–08 champion neel jani, 90% of teams in paddock warned teixeira ahead of time car change untimely , inefficient use of funds. rule changes included shorter qualifying sessions, pit-stop during longer sprint race, removal of limits on friday test drivers, , reduced sprint race points scoring.

fifth season

the opening round of season, scheduled part of established nikon supergp race meeting, cancelled 5 days before practice due begin. cars , series infrastructure still tied in london , no comment forthcoming a1gp, organisers in australia forced announce series not appear @ had been high-profile addition a1 grand prix calendar. event underwritten queensland state government, mentioned possibility of taking legal recourse against a1 grand prix.

the series thrown further doubt more races cancelled, announcement made on 5 november 2009 stating races in china , malaysia not taking place. last race held in season, dutch round, switched superleague formula. put end hopes season start , put future of series in doubt.

champions