Another name famous for its motorsport heritage has joined forces with A1 Grand Prix as the series' official tyre supplier. Cooper Tire & Rubber Company, through its Avon Tyres Racing operation, has signed a three-year agreement with the series to provide tyres bearing the Cooper and A1 Grand Prix names.

After signing the deal with the creator and CEO of the series, His Highness Sheikh Maktoum Hasher Maktoum Al Maktoum, Mr. Tom Dattilo, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Cooper said: "It seems only right for a global brand such as Cooper Tires to support this innovative racing series that brings a new dimension to motorsport. Cooper has a strong racing heritage, which traces its roots to Europe through our Avon racing tyres. We are making a long-term commitment to the series, and it is thrilling to be here at the start."

Sheikh Maktoum was able to see first hand how the tyres reacted to all racing conditions during recent tests with the A1 Grand Prix car in both chilly Snetterton, UK, and hot Jerez, Spain. "I was highly impressed by the performance and resourcefulness of the Cooper-Avon team, and the tyres gave us everything we wanted for our series. They were reliable and consistent and worked well in all conditions. The feedback from our team and test driver, Ralph Firman, was totally positive. I have looked at the other series that have benefited from this company's tyres and I know that we have chosen the perfect partner," he said.

Cooper Tire has marketed and manufactured tires throughout its 90-year history. In 1997, it acquired Avon Tyres which has provided car and motorcycle tyres for both on the road use and in racing venues for 12 decades. In motorsport it has been the sole supplier for the FIA International Formula 3000 series since 1986 and also provides tyres globally to Formula Ford, in the UK to Formula 3 and in the U.S. for the Cooper Tire Championship Series. The racing operation, Avon Tyres Racing, is run out of the company's Melksham, Wiltshire, UK premises while the parent company, Cooper Tire & Rubber Company, has headquarters in Findlay, Ohio, USA.