A1GP opener may be non-points event

A delay in the production of the new 'Powered by Ferrari' car means there will not be a full grid available for the races at Zandvoort next weekend.

The opening points race has already been pushed back once, following the cancellation of the round at Mugello (originally scheduled for last weekend) and a maximum of 19 cars will be ready for Zandvoort with 23 nations expected to compete this season.

When asked by Autosport whether the opening race would be a non-points event, an A1GP spokeswoman said: "That is something we have to address and a decision hasn't been made. That fact that we are admitting that we will have to look at it means that it is an option."

It is not yet clear which teams will not make Zandvoort, and the series will not release an official entry list until every nation has launched its team. The Team Monaco launch is scheduled for today.

A1GP's technical and operations director John Wickham says the delay of the cars was caused by "parts coming through late, particularly electrical systems."

A group test for six new cars at Snetterton this week was scrapped in favour of running "12 or 13" cars at the circuit next week, just three days before practice begins at Zandvoort.