Arden past helped Manning get drive

As predicted by autosport.com, the team have confirmed that former Champ Car and IRL driver Manning will race for Britain at A1 Grand Prix's final round at the Shanghai International Circuit next month, while regular driver Robbie Kerr has World Series by Renault testing duties.

Manning raced with Arden - the team that engineers Britain's entry in the "World Cup of Motorsport" - for two seasons in his F3000 days.

Team boss Surtees says he selected Manning for this reason, rather than the second official Team GBR driver, Alex Lloyd.

"Darren is one of the drivers originally put forward by the Arden Management team following their successful relationship in F3000," Surtees said. "He brings extensive experience to the team, and his previous relationship with Arden will hopefully be of benefit.

"He's going to have a tough job given that Robbie has driven so well for us throughout the season but Darren's experience and speed in a wide range of cars together with his motivation augers well for China.

"With the fight on for third place in the championship it is important for the team to have a driver with as much relevant experience as possible with only three free practice sessions available.

"Unfortunately the rules didn't go the way we had hoped so reserve driver Alex Lloyd hasn't had the running opportunities we would have liked and Arden expressed their preference for a driver with extensive F3000 experience for this highly pressurized occasion.

"We are doing our best to help Alex find a seat in either a premier European race series or in the revitalized Champ Car Atlantic Championship in the USA to get his
experience level up."

Manning has been following A1 GP, and is looking forward to meeting up with the team again at Laguna Seca this weekend, where he will be watching the race.

"The number of cars on the grid and the racing have really good so to be asked to drive for my country is not just an honour but a brilliant racing opportunity as well," Manning said.

"It will be great to meet up with the team again this weekend, renew relationships and get to grips with the A1 series which will give us a head start for the China race."