A1GP has announced that A1 Team Monaco will be competing in the series this season. According to A1GP organizers, not only will the red and white colours of the Monaco flag adorn the car, but the venture also has the personal blessing of His Serene Highness, Prince Albert II of Monaco.

The team will be headed by joint seat holders, Clivio Piccione and Hubertus Bahlsen. A former F3 and GP2 race winner, Piccione will also be only the second person in the series' history to take on the dual role of being the race driver as well as seat holder. The 24-year-old Monegasque has enjoyed the patronage of Prince Albert II throughout his career, and also has the support for this venture from the Monaco Government and the President of the "Conseil National".

Piccione says: "I am very proud to have been able to put this project together and I believe this new enterprise will bring a lot of excitement and glory to our country. It is a unique situation to be able to take on these two roles. I believe it is a great asset for me not just to be the driver, but to also have a real involvement within the team structure. I am really looking forward to racing for my country in the new car."

Monaco resident Bahlsen, from Switzerland, races his own personal collection of historic Formula 1 cars, winning his group in the 2005 FIA Historic Formula One series. "Linking A1GP's unique race format - being the World Cup of Motorsport - with Monaco's heritage in motor racing is a thrilling opportunity. I am looking forward to making this partnership successful, both with Clivio and Monegasque supporters as well as with A1GP," says Bahlsen.

The team will be run on a day-to-day basis by its Team Principal, Graham Taylor. The Briton, from Gloucester, has worked in the sport for 21-years, and has engineering and management experience from Formula 1 to Touring Cars.

A1GP Chairman, Tony Teixeira, is particularly delighted to welcome this new team: "No doubt Monaco represents the smallest population of any of our national teams, but in terms of a worldwide reach there are fewer places that are better known. Our aim in A1GP was to be a truly global series and each year we welcome new teams that help us in this. We are very proud that a principality with such strong ties with the sport has chosen to become part of A1GP."