Graham Rahal to join Team Lebanon

Rahal, who is about to start a season of Champ Car Atlantic with Conquest Racing, qualifies for the Lebanese team through a bloodline in his family through his father's side, who originally came from Aitaneet in Lebanon.

The 17 year-old has tested with the team in an Astromega F3000 car at Missano and will join Khalil Beschir and Basil Shaaban for the final rounds of the season. Of those three tracks he knows Laguna Seca, the venue for penultimate round of the championship, through his Star Mazda experience.

Rahal has not been promised a race with the team at this weekend's round in Mexico, however he will compete in both of Friday's free practice sessions before a final decision is made. Both Beschir and Shaaban will be present in Mexico.

Tameem Auchi, Seat Holder for A1 Team Lebanon said: "He is from such an illustrious motor racing family, we're very proud that he has agreed to join with us in the A1 Grand Prix series.

"Our team is one of the least experienced in the series and we are always reviewing our driver options in order to compete at the highest level, and recruiting Graham to the team enables us to accelerate our learning curve, while also expanding our fan base to the Arab American community."

Rahal believes that the international exposure will help his career.

He said: "I've grasped the chance to compete in this new series which is attracting so much attention worldwide. It will give me valuable international exposure outside the USA."

Bobby Rahal says he is pleased the team have provided his son with the opportunity: "I'm very proud of our Lebanese heritage and this unique opportunity for my son to represent not just Lebanon and the Arab world, but the Lebanese community in the United States.

"I look forward to being at Monterrey, Mexico for the A1 Grand Prix and watching Graham in the A1 Team Lebanon car."