Team GBR to part ways with Arden

Team principal John Surtees has informed the team that they will not be required for the new season, which begins in October, because they are instead cherry picking personnel to build an all-new team solely for the purpose of running the A1 squad.

A1 Team GBR finished third in the inaugural World Cup of Motorsport, and neither Robbie Kerr or Darren Manning were one of the eight nations that won a race in the inaugural season.

Surtees believes that A1 GP has been low down on Arden's priority list compared to their GP2 squad.

When asked if he has been disappointed with Arden this season, Surtees replied: "Yes. Unfortunately, we are a poor relation to GP2 and that isn't what I had envisaged. We really thought we would be title contenders this year. The ingredients should have won some races.

"When I had to recommend a set up to the franchise holders, as a matter of safety I went along with Arden. Thinking that obviously their long experience with Formula 3000, and the A1 GP car being a development of the 3000 car, would form a very nice basis for the team.

"Christian Horner, after his arrangement with us, got many other responsibilities and it is like everything - you have so many balls in the air and you obviously have to juggle things."

Surtees has been pleased with the additional non-Arden personnel that have been recruited for the team during the season and is set to build a brand new operation for next season in a similar vein to A1 Team Ireland.

"The core of the lads that were taken on to come into A1 GP rather than being established Arden people, have all done a good job," he added.

However, Arden team manager Will Hunt denied the team had been informed they would no longer continue to run the GB car.

"Arden did a pretty good job to finish third in the championship with the driver line-up available. Darren Manning showed in China that the car is on the pace. I'm sure that Arden will continue to be involved in A1 Grand Prix next season with a front-running team."