First six A1GP entrants

The first six 'national seat holders' to have committed to the new-for-2005 A1 Grand Prix series are Britain, China, Lebanon, Pakistan, Portugal and South Africa, it was announced this morning in London. Series founder Sheikh Maktoum Hasher Maktoum Al Maktoum also revealed the final-specification Lola-Zytek V8 single-seater for the series, which will start in autumn 2005. The chairman of the UK seat holders is John Surtees MBE

Sep 30, 2004, 9:47 AM

Sheikh Maktoum commented: "This is a significant step forward for A1 Grand Prix. We set ourselves demanding targets and, six months down the line [since the series was announced in Dubai], we're exceeding our own expectations. We're delighted to welcome all six national seat holders to the series, and the fact we have many more countries waiting to announce their participation means that our concept has been wholeheartedly embraced by both the business and motorsport fraternities."

A1 Grand Prix intends to announce more national seat holders in a few weeks time at the official South African launch event in Johannesburg.