A1 Grand Prix is the first opportunity for nations to compete exclusively on a truly level playing field in the World Cup of Motorsport.

A1 Grand Prix is more than just another motorsport phenomenon; it's an entirely new sport - The World Cup of Motorsport. Pitting driver against driver and country against country for the first time in history, A1 Grand Prix will bring together 25 nations representing 80 per cent of the world's population to actively compete on a level playing field.

A1 Grand Prix has created a new medium for national and international brands and organisations to promote themselves on a global scale. Through the World Cup of Motorsport, they can join forces with their national teams to be part of this unique sporting event.

The World Cup of Motorsport promotes countries and utilises the national patriotism instilled in every person on the planet not only attracting traditional motorsport and sporting fans but exciting anyone who is passionate about their heritage, country and population.

Timeline

30 March 2004

Dubai Launch - His Highness Sheikh Maktoum Hasher Maktoum Al Maktoum unveiled the A1 Grand Prix prototype car in the grounds of the Jumeirah Beach Hotel in front of over 600 guests from Dubai and around the world. Based on a sound business model combined with the excitement of motorsport, the championship will run in the winter of 2005/06 with 25 identical cars. Each car represents an entire nation with the driver being indigenous to that country. Sponsorship for each car must only come from the country it represents.

07 June 2004

V8 engine announced - A1Grand Prix announced that the A1 Grand Prix race car will be powered by a 3.4 litre V8 engine manufactured by Zytek Engineering.

15 July 2004

Design finalised - Following extensive wind tunnel testing, the A1 Grand Prix car went on display at the Farnborough International Air Show. Marking the first time that the world famous show included motorsport content, the A1 Grand Prix car took centre stage and was seen by over half a million visitors.

23 July 2004

John Wickham, the vastly experienced motorsport manager who led Bentley to their historic win in the 2003 Le Mans 24 Hours was appointed in July 2004 to oversee A1 Grand Prix's extensive testing programme. In December 2004 he became Global Operations Manager.

19 August 2004

Sky Sports, the UK's leading broadcaster of motorsport, signed an exclusive deal to televise the championship. The broadcaster will show all practice and qualifying sessions and races live in the UK.

20 August 2004

One of the UK's most experienced international racing drivers, former Formula 1 driver Ralph Firman signed up to test the A1 Grand Prix car.

27 August 2004

Successful hot and cold weather tests completed - In August 2004, the A1 Grand Prix car completed 2,000 kilometres of successful testing in both the UK and Spain with Ralph Firman and A1 Grand Prix General Manager, Stephen Watson, at the wheel.

27 September 2004

Cooper Tire & Rubber Company, from Findlay, Ohio, USA, through its Avon Tyres racing operation in Melksham, Wiltshire signed a three-year deal to supply the championship with controlled slick and treaded wet tyres.

30 September 2004

China, Great Britain, Lebanon, Pakistan, Portugal and South Africa were named as the first six nations to sign up to the A1 Grand Prix championship. The announcement was made at a London launch ceremony hosted by A1 Team Great Britain Chairman John Surtees MBE, the only man to have won world championships on two and four wheels. The following day, A1 Grand Prix Founder, President and Chairman Sheikh Maktoum was interviewed by the world's media in London's historic Trafalgar Square.

19 October 2004

A1 Grand Prix took a stand at SPORTELMonaco, the largest and most important meeting place for international television sports executives. The championship created a huge buzz as major television rights deals were negotiated.

28 October 2004