Duran returns to Team Mexico

The team have struggled to recapture the success achieved with Duran in A1GP's inaugural season, where Team Mexico's high-water mark was a double victory at Laguna Seca. Since Duran's last appearance in Holland in 2007, his successors in the Mexico line-up have scored just five points.

"The deal to return to A1 Team Mexico is done," Duran told autosport.com. "We've worked really hard for this. We had the press conference in Mexico yesterday, I've seen the team again this week and it is great to be back with everyone again."

Team Mexico missed the opening rounds at Zandvoort, and in their susbequent four starts former Atlantic racer David Garza has failed to score for them.

"Garza will now no longer drive for the team and we want to thank him for his valuable participation and enthusiasm," said a team statement. "A1 Team Mexico wishes him the best of luck in the future."

Duran has yet to confirm any other racing activities for the year. The reunion with A1GP has ruled out the possibility of his participation in the Daytona 24 Hours sportscar classic, where he has competed for Ganassi for the past two seasons, sharing the winning car in 2007.

"We didn't agree a deal with Ganassi this year for Daytona, and in any case there was the problem with the date clash," said Duran.

"I have a contract with (long-time backer) Telmex this year and we are working together to bring in new sponsors and put a deal in place. This has been a very difficult period with the economy to find sponsors, but ideally I would like to do World Series again, GP2 or IRL (IndyCar Series), but I think now is the time to focus completely on A1GP."

Formula Renault 2.0 racer Juan Pablo Garcia will back Duran up as rookie driver in Taupo, but the team still intend to give 2008 Formula BMW Europe champion and recent ART Formula 3 Euro Series signing Esteban Gutierrez selected outings in rookie sessions during the year.