A1 GRAND PRIX UNVEILS PROVISIONAL CALENDAR

12 races covering Africa, America, Asia, Australia and Europe

 Subject to formal approval by the FIA’s World Council, the provisional race calendar for the inaugural season of the World Cup of Motorsport can now be revealed.

Taking in a mix of established world-famous venues, exciting new state- of-the-art facilities and tight twisty street circuits, A1 Grand Prix promises to deliver high-speed action at every turn.   Pitting driver against driver and country against country for the first time in motorsport history, A1 Grand Prix will bring together 25 national teams, representing 80 per cent of the world's population to actively compete on a level playing field.

Announcing the first season’s calendar, A1 Grand Prix Founder, President and Chairman Sheikh Maktoum said: ‘With the formal submission of the A1 Grand Prix provisional race calendar to the FIA World Council, my vision of an exciting worldwide racing series is moving closer to fruition. A1 Grand Prix will see 25 nations vying for the prestigious World Cup of Motorsport, taking high-profile international racing to new territories.

To have 25 cars, each proudly presenting their national sponsors, competing at circuits in both developed and developing markets, will be a remarkable spectacle. It's now only a few short months before millions of viewers world-wide will hear the roar of 25 A1 Grand Prix race cars rev up for the first time.’ With every team racing for the pride of their nation, A1 Grand Prix will ignite the patriotism instilled in every person on the planet attracting support beyond racing’s traditional audience. Presenting a rare opportunity for fans to interact with the teams and drivers and follow their national teams live on television.  

Following the summer sun around the globe, A1 Grand Prix will deliver 12 weekends of exciting racing action outside of the traditional motorsport season, kicking-off at Brands Hatch in the UK on 25 September 2005. The following calendar has been submitted to the FIA for World Council approval. Confirmation of the final A1GP race calendar will be published by 31 July 2005.

Date Circuit Location
25 September 2005 Brands Hatch United Kingdom
9 October 2005 Eurospeedway GP Germany
23 October 2005 Estoril Portugal
6 November 2005 Eastern Creek Australia
20 November 2005 Sepang International Circuit Malaysia
11 December 2005 Dubai Autodrome United Arab Emirates
15 January 2006 TBC Indonesia/Singapore1
29 January 2006 Durban (Street race)/ Cape Town2 South Africa
12 February 2006 Parque Fundidora Monterrey Mexico
26 February 2006 San Antonio, Texas (Street race) USA
12 March 2006 Laguna Seca, California USA
26 March 2006 Beijing Goldenport3 TBC China

1.  Both Indonesia and Singapore are competing to host the seventh race in A1GP’s first season.
2.  At present, either a Durban Street Race is or the Killarney Circuit in Cape Town will host the eighth race on the calendar.
3.  Subject to FIA Grade 2 approval or alternative circuit as directed by the Chinese government.