Organisers in Talks over 26th Team

A1 Grand Prix CEO Tony Teixeira confirmed that the additional team could join the series in the next couple of months.

The Lebanon is currently the only Middle-Eastern country represented in the inaugural World Cup of Motorsport, but the addition of a Gulf team could increase the reach in that part of the globe.

Teixeira said: "We promised 25 cars and that's what you have for the first round. There could be additional one nation in the next two or three months but that is it. For now it is 25.

"We have already turned away 33 countries, so interest is not point. The countries we are looking must meet all the criteria that A1 needs to compete in the series."

Team Rosberg, who are running the Austrian entry, have been linked with engineering the Gulf team.

Series founder Sheik Maktoum admitted that he would like to see more cars from the Middle-East compete in the championship, but the decision on nationalities was business related only.

Maktoum said: "This encompasses the world. Would I like to see North Africa and Gulf cars? Yes, But whoever comes to the table first ­- this is a business. I'm not showing any favouritism towards any country."