Series 3 teams, drivers, rumours...

[cos]

The official test session at Silverstone is coming up in a few weeks, so it's time to figure out who's driving and who's running the No new nations expected for the start of the new season, although there has been talk of franchises for Finland, Thailand and a Benelux team for next year and possibly later. Update the list and fill in the blanks if you know more....

Australia
Ian Dyk to be main driver, team will also test John Martin and Daniel Ricciardo

Brazil
To be run by Argo Racing along. Outfit reportedly to be headed by a multiple BTCC champ.
Sergio Jimenez and Clemente Faria Jr to test this week, Jimenez is keen on geting the seat.

Canada
Linking up with Team Ireland? (I've lost the copy of Autosport I think I read that in...)

China
Cheng to be lead driver.
Wang Jian-Wei, Ma Qing-Hua, Marchy Lee and Hanss Lin to test at Silverstone.

Czech Republic
Haven't heard/read anything, but assume they'll be back as Brno is still on the schedule.

France

Germany

Great Britain
Kerr and Jarvis again I presume?

Ireland

Italy

India
Team hopes for Karthikeyan to drive most of the races, with Sureshwaran to do rookie sessions.

Indonesia
Satria Hermanto to drive?

Lebanon
Argo Racing to run the team (see above)

Malaysia
Same again presumably.

Netherlands
Bleekemolen and Luyendyk Jr

New Zealand
Reid to be lead driver, Brendon Hartley to test at Silverstone.

Pakistan
Nur Ali?

Portugal
Parente again?

South Africa
van de Merwe? Zaugg? Wesleigh Orr, Marc Murray, Leeroy Poulter and Kyle Mitchell in contention for rookie seat.

Switzerland
?

USA
?

[autot]

Adam Carroll To Test For Team Ireland Next Week At Snetterton, Team Portugal To Run As A 2 Car Team With Gb. YOU HEARD IT HERE FIRST

[Kiwi3]

Didn't know Adam Carroll was eligible for Ireland, thought he was British. Either he or James Rossiter turned down an opportunity with GBR before the first season to concentrate on F1 prospects, not sure which one it was (or both of them). Carroll would be a leading contender in A1.

Hanss Lin to test for China? He is from Taiwan, too big a political statement would be made so I would be very surprised...

[cos]

Originally Posted by Kiwi3

Didn't know Adam Carroll was eligible for Ireland, thought he was British. Either he or James Rossiter turned down an opportunity with GBR before the first season to concentrate on F1 prospects, not sure which one it was (or both of them). Carroll would be a leading contender in A1.

Carroll was dropped from the pre-season GBR test for whatever reason (think he had a clashing committment elsewhere that day and the team couldn't accommodate him another time) and Rossiter got the chance instead.

Hanss Lin to test for China? He is from Taiwan, too big a political statement would be made so I would be very surprised...

Would certainly be a provocative choice. The China drivers press release is here: http://www.motorsport.com/news/artic...?ID=264041&FS=

[kipper]

Originally Posted by cos

Canada
Linking up with Team Ireland? (I've lost the copy of Autosport I think I read that in...)

Apparently so, a team by the name of Status has been set up by Mark Gallagher to run the Canadian and Irish entries. Autosport reported that Manor Motorsport's John Booth may be involved in the engineering of one of the cars.

Originally Posted by Kiwi3

Didn't know Adam Carroll was eligible for Ireland, thought he was British

He is eligible for Ireland, as drivers from Northern Ireland can drive for Britain or Ireland, hence Richard Lyons's inclusion last year.

[cos]

France and South Africa to continue "technical alliance"; not sure how much DAMS are involved this season.
http://www.crash.net/news_view.asp?cid=83&id=152843

[cos]

As expected, Carroll to test for Ireland today and tomorrow at Snetterton, along with Brazil, RSA and Lebanon. Interestingly Lyons and Firman might be in the frame to make a return to Team Ireland.
http://www.a1gp.com/News/NewsArticle.aspx?newsId=31912

[Kiwi3]

I just read the China press statement. It reads that A1 Team China has 'notified' these drivers to take part, i.e. not that Hans Lin has confirmed he will take part. It also lists is origin as Chinese Taipei. Very patriotic on the part of Team China and won't hurt the franchise holder's relationships in Beijing.

Politics and sport should be kept separate, they just lost my support.

[cos]

Chris Alajajian tested for Lebanon today, not sure how he qualifies as Lebanese having been born and bred in Australia...? Mind you, they did have Rahal Jr last year...

[429CJ]

The name of Mika Salo is mentioned behind Team Finland, with Alan Docking Racing.

[strider]

Originally Posted by 429CJ

The name of Mika Salo is mentioned behind Team Finland, with Alan Docking Racing.

Salo used to race for ADR in British F3, so that makes sense. Presumably they would run in tandem with Team Australia.

The only drawback is that I'm not sure ADR has the capability to run a front-running team these days, although that could always be put right by hiring the right people.

[diddy100]

Was watching the first day of the "Rookie" test at Snetterton, track conditions could have been better as had a few showers, the cars looked a bit of a handful but Adam Carroll was showing great car control it keeping these beasts on the track in the slipperry conditions.
Today looks better so far so will be heading back to the circuit later

[Mystery]

John Surtees to leave team GBR, Kerr & Jarvis continue to drive. Darren Manning busy elsewhere presumably, driving underpowered Indycars.
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/61536

[courageous]

Enge will NOT be driving for czech rep (can't recall source)

[Kiwi3]

I read that about Enge too. A shame as he is the star as far as the Czech Republic goes.

Who else is running at Snetterton besides Ireland? Lebanon? Any pictures available anywhere?

I think Carroll will be sensational if he runs with Ireland. Assuming they don't have the car problems of last season they could be championship contenders.

[GTRMagic]

Originally Posted by cos

Chris Alajajian tested for Lebanon today, not sure how he qualifies as Lebanese having been born and bred in Australia...? Mind you, they did have Rahal Jr last year...

I thought Mr Alajajian was of Armenian parentage, not Lebanese....

[gomick]

great if mika salo & finland join the series

[Valker]

Originally Posted by strider

Salo used to race for ADR in British F3, so that makes sense. Presumably they would run in tandem with Team Australia.

Yep. And Mika Salo also has a team called ADRF in Finnish F3...

[cos]

Wesleigh Orr to be South Africa's rookie driver
http://www.a1gp.com/News/NewsArticle.aspx?newsId=31951

[spider]

Orr was one hell of a karter...though he looks considerably more podgy than the last time i saw him...get...down...the...gym

[cos]

Erik Janis signed as lead driver for CZE before he's even driven the car!
http://www.a1gp.com/News/NewsArticle.aspx?newsId=31962

[jaysalv]

could that be as janis is managed by charouz racing who run the cze car they also manage enge as well

[dave not neil]

They also run him in Formula Master, so must have faith in his ability

[jaysalv]

antonin charouzalso has his son lined up for a drive this season as well hes doing well in the lmes with the lola judd

[dazbaz_99]

Is A1 Team Finland purely just Forum speculation?

Because I just typed in www.a1teamfinland.com and it brings up a website hosts holding page. I typed in www.a1teamnorway.com for example and this message doesn't appear. Could it be that Team Finland is seriously being worked on behind the scenes?