04/11/2008
NEWS STORY
Marco Andretti has been confirmed as the USA's driver for this weekend's second championship round in Chengdu, China.
Team boss Michael Andretti had indicated at Zandvoort that his 21-year-old son would pilot the car for the series maiden visit to Chengdu, after Charlie Kimball returned to race in Holland last month.
"Getting to race in China is something I'm really looking forward to," said Marco. "Although A1GP is new to Andretti Green Racing, I thought that the crew did a great job with the first race. They had to put in a lot of effort just to get on track and they were able to get the car up to speed rather quickly.
"I know there is a possibility that the weather could add another element to the race and that should only make the race more challenging for the drivers and more entertaining for the fans."
Marco Andretti and Andretti Green Racing's other US IndyCar driver, Danica Patrick, will both race this season, and the team will likely announce its choice on a race-by-race basis.
The A1GP car is the third type of car Marco has raced this season, after his seventh place finish in the IRL IndyCar championship and his three races in the American Le Mans sportscar series.
Father Michael Andretti team boss of the US squad and Andretti Green Racing added: "I was very impressed with the efforts of the A1GP organizers and am sure the event at China will be more of the same. We're pleased that Marco is getting the chance to drive a different car than what he is used to. The team has worked hard to make this a successful venture from the very start and I expect Marco to be quick and learn a lot driving the A1GP car."
The US team is currently in joint 10th place in the standings.