View source for A1 Grand Prix

{{short description|Former Single-Seater Racing Series}}
{{use dmy dates|date=May 2023}}
{{Infobox motorsport championship
| logo            = A1 GP World Cup of Motorsport logo.svg
| pixels          = 250px
| category        = [[Open-wheel car|Single seaters]]
| country/region  = International
| inaugural2      = [[2005–06 A1 Grand Prix season|2005–06]]
| folded          = 2009
| drivers         = 35
| teams           = 21
| chassis         = [[Lola Cars|Lola]] (2005–08)<br />[[Ferrari]] (2008–09)
| engines         = [[Zytek]] (2005–08)<br />[[Ferrari]] (2008–09)
| champion team   = {{flagicon|Ireland}} [[A1 Team Ireland]] (2008–09)
}}
{{A1 Grand Prix}}

'''A1 Grand Prix Operations Ltd.''' operated as '''A1 Grand Prix''' ('''A1GP''') was a "single-make" [[Open-wheel car|open-wheel]] [[auto racing]] series that ran from 2005 until 2009. It was unique in its field in that competitors solely represented their [[nation]] as opposed to themselves or a team, the usual format in most [[formula racing]] series. As such, it was often promoted as the "[[World cup competition|World Cup]] of Motorsport". The series was ratified by the [[Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile]] (FIA), and races were held in the traditional Formula One off-season, the northern hemisphere winter.<ref>[http://www.a1gp.com/About/WhatIsA1GP.aspx What is A1 Grand Prix?] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120205210701/http://www.a1gp.com/About/WhatIsA1GP.aspx |date=5 February 2012 }} A1GP official website.</ref> The nation-based A1GP concept was founded by Sheikh [[Maktoum Hasher Maktoum Al Maktoum]] of [[Dubai]], initially in 2003.<ref name="A1GP History">[http://www.a1gp.com/(S(s3nn5d55u4a2ta45yonq3uz4))/About/A1GPhistory.aspx A1GP History]. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071224140539/http://www.a1gp.com/About/A1GPhistory.aspx |date=2007-12-24 }} ''a1gp.com''.</ref> After a successful first season of A1GP, it was announced on 29 September 2006 that Maktoum was to sell his position as chairman and director of A1GP.<ref>[http://www.a1gp.com/news/index.php?flashNavId=1&newsid=377 Official A1GP Press Release] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120208162639/http://www.a1gp.com/news/index.php?flashNavId=1&newsid=377 |date=8 February 2012 }}.</ref> The transfer of his share in the organisation of A1 Grand Prix to RAB Capital was finalized in December 2006. Tony Teixeira took control of the series in 2006, and the series later [[liquidation|liquidated]] after failing to host any races during the 2009–10 season.<ref>{{Cite web|date=17 October 2009|title=A1GP season opener cancelled|url=https://www.news24.com/sport/a1gp-season-opener-cancelled-20091017|access-date=2022-02-19|website=Sport|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Watkins|first=Gary|date=2010-01-27|title=A1GP to be sold|url=http://autoweek.com/racing/more-racing/a2005276/a1gp-be-sold/|access-date=2022-02-19|website=Autoweek|language=en-US}}</ref>

==History==
The nation-based A1GP concept was founded by [[Maktoum Hasher Maktoum Al Maktoum|Sheikh Maktoum Hasher Maktoum Al Maktoum]] of [[Dubai]], initially in 2003.<ref name="A1GP History"/> Once the series had received the backing of the FIA, a management structure including new executive directors [[Brian Menell]] and Tony Teixeira were appointed to oversee the sale of franchises for the operation of international teams. Thirty franchises were made available; twenty-three of them were restricted to specified nations, while the other seven were opened to tender for nations that had not been initially targeted.

===First season===
{{main|2005–06 A1 Grand Prix season}}

Twenty-five of the franchises were purchased in time for the [[2005–06 A1 Grand Prix season]], which began on 25 September 2005 with the [[2005–06 A1 Grand Prix of Nations, Great Britain|A1 Grand Prix of Nations Great Britain]] at the [[Brands Hatch]] circuit in [[Kent]], United Kingdom. The first season was planned for 12 rounds (24 races, with two each weekend); however the cancellation of a race scheduled for [[Curitiba]], [[Brazil]] in January 2006 reduced this number to 11. [[Nelson Piquet Jr.]] won the inaugural race of the series for [[A1 Team Brazil]]. Their winning form was not to continue. Wins at [[Estoril]] and [[Sepang International Circuit|Malaysia]] saw [[A1 Team France]] build up a sizeable gap. By the start of the winter break, France had run away with the lead with [[A1 Team Switzerland]] 28 points behind. At the final race of the season in [[Shanghai]], A1 Team France were crowned the first-ever A1 Grand Prix world champions with 172 points. Switzerland were second with 121 points and [[A1 Team Great Britain]] third with 97 points.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.autosport.com/results.php?s=201&y=2005&c=1|title=A1 Grand Prix results for 2005–06 | work=Autosport}}</ref>

[[Katherine Legge]] was the first woman to drive [[A1 Grand Prix cars]] during test session in December 2005 on [[Dubai Autodrome]].<ref>[http://www.racerchicks.com/news/M_Legge.html Katherine Legge to Test A1GP] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071023065547/http://racerchicks.com/news/M_Legge.html |date=2007-10-23 }} ''racerchicks.com''</ref>

===Second season===
{{main|2006–07 A1 Grand Prix season}}

Changes were made for the 2006–07 season to race durations and distances to improve the spectacle for attendees and TV viewers.<ref>[http://www.a1gp.com/News/NewsArticle.aspx?newsId=27843 "A1 Grand Prix makes plans for the 2006–07 season"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080321105452/http://www.a1gp.com/News/NewsArticle.aspx?newsId=27843 |date=21 March 2008 }}, A1GP official website, 14 June 2006</ref> The 2006–07 schedule was released on 7 July 2006, with the first race at [[Circuit Park Zandvoort]] on 1 October 2006, and the last race at Brands Hatch on 29 April 2007. New teams [[A1 Team Singapore|Team Singapore]] and [[A1 Team Greece|Team Greece]] joined the competition but Team Turkey failed to secure funding for the season. [[A1 Team Austria|Team Austria]], [[A1 Team Japan|Team Japan]], [[A1 Team Portugal|Team Portugal]] and [[A1 Team Russia|Team Russia]] did not return for the second season. However, after securing funding Team Portugal competed in the final four rounds of the second season in South Africa, Mexico, China and Britain. Team Germany won the series with 128 points, 35 points lead ahead of Team New Zealand.

On 29 September, Sheikh Maktoum announced he was resigning his position as chairman and chief executive of the series, seeking to have his place taken by increased shareholder interests:
{{cquote|I am happy that I have built the series with fans in mind. I feel like I have fulfilled my promise to them by bringing A1GP from concept to reality and am confident that the World Cup of Motorsport will go from strength to strength. Having devoted all my efforts to making A1GP the success it is today, this transaction will allow me to devote more time to my Dubai International Holding Company which currently manages a substantial portfolio of assets and new ventures and which continues to actively pursue other significant investment opportunities.}}
Maktoum announced his intended resignation in September and his exit from the organisation was confirmed in December.<ref>[http://www.a1gp.com/News/NewsArticle.aspx?newsId=27597 "A1GP and Sheikh Maktoum bid farewell"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080321102007/http://www.a1gp.com/News/NewsArticle.aspx?newsId=27597 |date=21 March 2008 }} A1GP official website, 29 September 2006</ref><ref>[http://www.a1gp.com/News/NewsArticle.aspx?newsId=30200 "Sheikh Maktoum Exits A1GP In Deal With RAB Capital"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080321105506/http://www.a1gp.com/News/NewsArticle.aspx?newsId=30200 |date=21 March 2008 }} A1GP official website, 10 December 2006</ref>

===Third season===
[[File:Sepang International Circuit A1 Race.JPG|thumb|Sepang International Circuit A1 Race]]
{{main|2007–08 A1 Grand Prix season}}

The 2007–08 season was the final season that used the Lola-Zytek A1GP car, with rule changes including two mandatory pit-stops in the Feature Race and an introduction of E30 biofuel as the cars' fuel. Team Switzerland was the winning team with [[Neel Jani]] behind the wheel.

===Fourth season===
{{main|2008–09 A1 Grand Prix season}}

In what proved to be the series' final season, the 2008–09 season was the only season in which the "Powered by Ferrari" A1GP car was used. According to 2007–08 champion Neel Jani, 90% of teams in the paddock warned Teixeira ahead of time that this car change was untimely and an inefficient use of funds.<ref name="Jani trauert der A1GP-Serie nach">{{cite web|url=http://www.motorsport-total.com/formelsport/news/2010/06/Jani_trauert_der_A1GP-Serie_nach_10062401.html|title=Jani trauert der A1GP-Serie nach|access-date=24 June 2010|author=Roman Wittemeier}}</ref> Rule changes included shorter qualifying sessions, a pit-stop during the now longer Sprint Race, removal of limits on Friday test drivers, and reduced Sprint Race points scoring.<ref name="New 08/09 Rules">{{cite web |author= |title=Rule changes for new season |url=http://www.a1gp.com/News/NewsArticle.aspx?newsId=41852 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080929194854/http://www.a1gp.com/News/NewsArticle.aspx?newsId=41852&AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1 |archive-date=29 September 2008 |access-date=11 August 2008 |website=a1gp.com}}</ref> Throughout the season, three rounds (in Italy, Indonesia, and Mexico) were cancelled for various reasons, and a proposed race in Brazil fell through. Team Ireland won the series with Ulsterman Adam Carroll.

===Fifth season (cancelled)===
{{main|2009–10 A1 Grand Prix season}}

The opening round of the season, scheduled as part of the already well established [[Nikon SuperGP]] race meeting, was cancelled five days before practice was due to begin. With cars and series infrastructure still tied up in London and no comment forthcoming from A1GP, organisers in Australia were forced to announce the series would not appear at what had been a high-profile addition to the A1 Grand Prix calendar.<ref>{{cite news|last=Mival |first=Al |title=V8 Supercars to replace scrapped event as A1GP cars fail to show |url=http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,26222254-10389,00.html |publisher=Courier Mail |date=17 October 2009 |access-date=17 October 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091020083300/http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0%2C23739%2C26222254-10389%2C00.html |archive-date=20 October 2009 |url-status=live }}</ref> The event was underwritten by the [[Government of Queensland|Queensland state government]], who  mentioned the possibility of taking legal recourse against A1 Grand Prix.<ref>{{cite news|first1=Greg|last1=Stolz|first2=David|last2=Murray|title=A1GP race cars still in UK as Gold Coast event in limbo |url=http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,26220533-3102,00.html |publisher=Courier Mail |date=17 October 2009 |access-date=17 October 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091112090311/http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0%2C23739%2C26220533-3102%2C00.html |archive-date=12 November 2009 |url-status=live }}</ref>

The series was thrown into further doubt as more races were cancelled, with an announcement made on 5 November 2009 stating that the races in China and Malaysia would not be taking place.<ref>{{cite web |author=Vince Pettit |title=A1GP – The final nail in the coffin? |url=http://www.thecheckeredflag.co.uk/2009/11/a1gp-the-final-nail-in-the-coffin |publisher=thecheckeredflag.co.uk |date=5 November 2009|access-date=5 November 2009| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20091116122621/http://www.thecheckeredflag.co.uk/2009/11/a1gp-the-final-nail-in-the-coffin| archive-date= 16 November 2009 | url-status= live}}</ref> The last race that was to be held in the season, the Dutch round, was switched for [[Superleague Formula]]. This put an end to the hopes the season would start and also put the future of the series in doubt.

===Series collapse and liquidation===
Chairman Tony Teixeira announced in October 2007 that Italian manufacturer [[Ferrari]] would design and build the engines for six years, and that Ferrari would consult in the design and manufacture of the car.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.a1gp.com/News/NewsArticle.aspx?newsId=39186 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090416231449/http://www.a1gp.com/News/NewsArticle.aspx?newsId=39186&AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1 |url-status=dead |archive-date=16 April 2009 |title=Ferrari joins A1GP |website=A1GP |date=11 October 2007 }}</ref>  
The Ferrari involvement was intended to ease some of the concerns regarding A1GP's ongoing financial viability, the continued input of existing backers, and the platform's ability to attract sponsors. CEO Pete da Silva reported a loss for the initial season, and yet RAB Capital paid $200 million to the exiting Dubai founder for his 80% stake. Before the 2008–09 "Powered by Ferrari" season was to begin, Bloomberg reported that RAB Capital announced that the A1GP investment had been written down for a third time.<ref>[https://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601102&sid=a8AcWcq843_A&refer=uk "RAB Tries to Halt Redemptions After Loss on Racing Investment "], Bloomberg, 10 September 2008</ref> A1 Team Australia boss [[Alan Jones (racing driver)|Alan Jones]] later suggested that "it is common knowledge that Mr Teixeira bought RAB Capital out from A1GP" before the current season,<ref>[http://www.goldcoast.com.au/article/2008/11/17/23471_gold-coast-indy.html "A1GP Boss Denies Financial woes"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090220222259/http://www.goldcoast.com.au/article/2008/11/17/23471_gold-coast-indy.html |date=20 February 2009 }}, Goldcoast, 17 November 2008</ref> yet A1GP prominently displayed RAB Capital branding until A1GP discontinued racing operations in 2009.

Following doubts that the fifth season would go ahead due to financial constraints and reports that engine suppliers Ferrari would pull out over non-payments, Teixeira announced that the series had secured its long-term future, following a financial restructuring. As part of the restructuring, administration had been applied for the previously liquidated A1 Grand Prix Operations Ltd.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.a1gp.com/News/NewsArticle.aspx?newsId=44488&langCode=EN&teamId=1|title=A1GP.com|publisher=A1 Grand Prix|date=25 September 2009|access-date=26 September 2009|archive-date=2 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181002204405/http://www.a1gp.com/News/NewsArticle.aspx?newsId=44488&langCode=EN&teamId=1|url-status=dead}}</ref>

A dispute over the ownership of the series' cars was heard on 18 January 2010 at the [[High Court of Justice]] in [[London]],<ref>{{cite journal|editor-last=Freeman|editor-first=Glenn |date=14 January 2010|title=Pit & Paddock: Future hangs on court decision|journal=[[Autosport]]|volume=199|issue=2|page=23}}</ref> with a judicial decision on 21 January 2010 ruling that the Administrator, Tim Bramston, had won the case with A1 Holdings. The assets were awarded to A1 Grand Prix Operations, and therefore Bramston became their administrator. Bramston said he was trying to secure the best price in liquidation and would not rule out a sale to an entity controlled by Teixeira.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.autoweek.com/article/20100128/MOTORSPORTS/100129928 |title= A1GP to be sold |work= autoweek.com |publisher= Autoweek |date= 28 January 2010 |access-date= 28 January 2010}}</ref>

RAB Capital's Special Situations fund missed out on the market recovery of 2009 and its shareholders forced manager RAB to allow the entire fund to be put up for sale through a [[Dutch auction]].<ref>[https://www.ft.com/content/b669b646-20cd-11df-b920-00144feab49a "Battered RAB Capital to auction prize fund"], ft.com, 24 February 2010</ref>

While the A1GP liquidators were apparently selling all intellectual property rights along with cars,<ref>[http://www.accountancyage.com/accountancyage/news/2258571/a1-goes-liquidation-seeking "A1GP goes into liquidation, but seeking buyers"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100228034438/http://www.accountancyage.com/accountancyage/news/2258571/a1-goes-liquidation-seeking |date=2010-02-28 }}, accountancyage.com, 26 February 2010</ref> it is unclear if a buyer was also expected to assume franchise agreements and financial obligations, or if the series and its necessary operating entities could be bought free and clear of any and all claims by Teixeira, Lyndhurst, and RAB. The liquidators appointed GoIndustry DoveBid to handle the sale of the assets,<ref>[http://www.go-dove.com/event-14131/A1GP_-_Opportunity_to_acquire_Grand_Prix_race_cars_powered_by_Ferrari "GoIndustry DoveBid A1GP Sale"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100325192820/http://www.go-dove.com/event-14131/A1GP_-_Opportunity_to_acquire_Grand_Prix_race_cars_powered_by_Ferrari |date=2010-03-25 }}, ''go-dove.com''</ref> and the liquidators are seeking £10 million for the assets.<ref>{{cite journal|editor-last=Watkins|editor-first=Gary |date=2010-04-01|title=Pit & Paddock: £10 million tag put on A1|journal=[[Autosport]]|volume=200|issue=1|page=24}}</ref>

If a revival plan for the series could not be agreed with interested investment parties then the A1 Grand Prix assets were to be put up for auction.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.italiaracing.net/notizia.asp?id=26850&cat=34 |title=Quattro settimane per il futuro dell'A1GP |trans-title=Four weeks to the future of A1GP |publisher=Italiaracing.Net |access-date=17 June 2014 |language=it |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120309052920/http://www.italiaracing.net/notizia.asp?id=26850&cat=34 |archive-date=2012-03-09 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

===Rumoured revivals===
On 5 July 2010 [[Autosport magazine]]  published in its "rumours & speculation" blog that the series, in one form or another, was to be revived for a new 2011–12 season, citing an unidentified source who claims backing from a group of new investors. The season would constitute 18 countries making up the grid and ten race weekends, spread out either side of Christmas 2011, visiting many of the series' previous venues. The series would also run under a new model, similar to the [[GP2 Series]] whereby teams are responsible for finding their own funding.<ref name="autosport.com">{{cite web |url= http://www.autosport.com/news/grapevine.php/id/85015 |title=A1GP could be resurrected |first=Andy |last=Van De Burgt |work=Autosport |date=5 July 2010 |access-date=17 June 2014}}</ref>

In 2011 rumours surfaced of A1GP's potential return with a new name. The series was to be called the A10 World Series, keeping the A1 from A1GP to signify the continuation of the idea. The series was billed as a Global single seater series with 600BHP V10 engines. A source told Autosport magazine that the A10 World Series would use A1GP's idea of pitting countries against each other.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/89003 |title=A1GP concept set for revival |first=Gary |last=Watkins |work=Autosport |date=20 January 2011 |access-date=17 June 2014}}</ref> However, the holding company for the series was formally dissolved in early 2012.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.duedil.com/company/07418408/a10-world-series-limited |title=A10 World Series Limited, Hampshire |publisher=[[Duedil]] |access-date=17 June 2014}}</ref>

In 2014 ISRA (International Sport Racing Association) took 2005–08 A1 Grand Prix racing cars (Lola-Zytek) and created a single-seater competition named [[Formula Acceleration 1]], which was part of [[Acceleration 2014]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/109953 |first=Gary |last=Watkins |title=A1GP cars to top new race bill |publisher=[[Autosport]] |date=19 September 2013 |access-date=17 June 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Eurotux S.A. |url=http://autosport.pt/autodromo-internacional-do-algarve-divulga-calendario=f118307 |title=Autódromo Internacional do Algarve divulga calendário |trans-title=Autódromo Internacional do Algarve discloses calendar |publisher=Autosport.pt |date=10 February 2014 |access-date=17 June 2014 |language=pt |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140221181612/http://autosport.pt/autodromo-internacional-do-algarve-divulga-calendario=f118307 |archive-date=21 February 2014 }}</ref>

In May 2015 AFRIX Motorsport of South Africa announced that they had purchased the remaining 21 'Powered by Ferrari' A1GP cars – together with their engines and spares, but less engine management electronics and steering wheels – from Delivered on Time, a freight company that had been granted a lien on the vehicles ''in lieu'' of unpaid bills. AFRIX stated that the cars were to form the basis for a one-make series to be run in South Africa during the southern hemisphere summer.<ref name=autosportafrix>{{cite news|author= Watkins, Gary |date= 28 May 2015 |title= Ferrari-powered A1GP cars bought by South African group |url= http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/119206 |work= Autosport.com |publisher= Haymarket Media Group |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150529203139/http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/119206 |archive-date= 29 May 2015 |access-date= 29 May 2015 |url-status= live }}</ref>

Announced in May 2023, A1GP was planned to make a return with a 100 million dollar funding.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://us.motorsport.com/general/news/the-ambitious-plans-behind-the-a1-gp-revival/10476266/ | title=The ambitious plans behind the A1 GP revival | date=31 May 2023 }}</ref>

===Champions===
{|class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size:85%; text-align:center;"
!scope=col|Season
!scope=col|Team
!scope=col|[[Pole position|Poles]]
!scope=col|Wins
!scope=col|Podiums
! scope="col" style="width:40px;"|Fastest laps
!scope=col|Points
!scope=col|Clinched
! scope="col" style="width:50px;"|Margin
!scope=col|Ref
|-
| [[2005–06 A1 Grand Prix season|2005–06]]
|align="left"| {{flagicon|FRA}} [[A1 Team France|France]]
|4
|13
|15
|9
|172
|Race 19 of 22
|51
|<ref>{{cite web|title=Season 2005/06 standings after race 22 of 22|url=http://results.a1gp.com/cp.php?l=0&d=201&r=2012005&c=0|publisher=A1 Grand Prix|access-date=14 January 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071226151025/http://results.a1gp.com/cp.php?l=0&d=201&r=2012005&c=0|archive-date=26 December 2007|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|-
| [[2006–07 A1 Grand Prix season|2006–07]]
|align="left"| {{flagicon|GER}} [[A1 Team Germany|Germany]]
|3
|9
|14
|5
|128
|Race 20 of 22
|35
|<ref>{{cite web|title=Season 2006/07 standings after race 22 of 22|url=http://results.a1gp.com/cp.php?l=0&d=201&r=2012006&c=0|publisher=A1 Grand Prix|access-date=14 January 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071224140701/http://results.a1gp.com/cp.php?l=0&d=201&r=2012006&c=0|archive-date=24 December 2007|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|-
| [[2007–08 A1 Grand Prix season|2007–08]]
|align="left"| {{flagicon|SUI}} [[A1 Team Switzerland|Switzerland]]
|6
|4
|11
|5
|168
|Race 19 of 20
|41
|<ref>{{cite web|title= Season 2007/08 standings after race 20 of 20|url=http://www.forix.com/a1gp/cp.php|publisher=A1 Grand Prix|access-date=14 January 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080608205306/http://www.forix.com/a1gp/cp.php|archive-date=8 June 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|-
| [[2008–09 A1 Grand Prix season|2008–09]]
|align="left"| {{flagicon|IRL}} [[A1 Team Ireland|Ireland]]
|6
|5
|8
|5
|112
|Race 14 of 14
|17
|<ref>{{cite web|title=Season 2008/09 standings after race 14 of 14|url=http://www.forix.com/a1gp/cp.php|publisher=A1 Grand Prix|access-date=14 January 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090717074910/http://www.forix.com/a1gp/cp.php|archive-date=17 July 2009|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|}

==Teams==
{{main|List of A1 Grand Prix teams}}
Each A1 Grand Prix team represented a nation. Drivers must have the same nationality as the team they drove for. The team car should also represent the country. The team owner, principal and crew, however, did not need to have the same nationality as the team.

[[File:A1 Team Pakistan topview.JPG|thumb|250px|right|[[A1 Team Pakistan]] and their seat holder [[Adam Khan]] during a pit stop.]]

Twenty-nine nations started one race in A1GP – as in the table below:
[[File:A1 GP Team Nationalities.PNG|thumb|300px|A [[world map]] showing the distribution of A1 GP teams in the last season (red) and who also took part in one or more of the earlier seasons (blue)]]
{|class="wikitable"
|+ Participating countries
! Africa !! Americas !! Asia !! Europe !! Oceania
|- valign="top"
|
{{flagicon|RSA}} [[A1 Team South Africa|South Africa]]<br/>
|
{{flagicon|BRA}} [[A1 Team Brazil|Brazil]]<br/>
{{flagicon|CAN}} [[A1 Team Canada|Canada]]<br/>
{{flagicon|MEX}} [[A1 Team Mexico|Mexico]]<br/>
{{flagicon|USA}} [[A1 Team USA|USA]]<br/>
|
{{flagicon|CHN}} [[A1 Team China|China]]<br/>
{{flagicon|IND}} [[A1 Team India|India]]<br/>
{{flagicon|IDN}} [[A1 Team Indonesia|Indonesia]]<br/>
{{flagicon|JPN}} [[A1 Team Japan|Japan]]<br/>
{{flagicon|KOR}} [[A1 Team Korea|Korea]]<br/>
{{flagicon|LIB}} [[A1 Team Lebanon|Lebanon]]<br/>
{{flagicon|MYS}} [[A1 Team Malaysia|Malaysia]]<br/>
{{flagicon|PAK}} [[A1 Team Pakistan|Pakistan]]<br/>
{{flagicon|SIN}} [[A1 Team Singapore|Singapore]]<br/>
|
{{flagicon|AUT}} [[A1 Team Austria|Austria]]<br/>
{{flagicon|CZE}} [[A1 Team Czech Republic|Czech Republic]]<br/>
{{flagicon|FRA}} [[A1 Team France|France]]<br/>
{{flagicon|GER}} [[A1 Team Germany|Germany]]<br/>
{{flagicon|GBR}} [[A1 Team Great Britain|Great Britain]]<br/>
{{flagicon|GRE}} [[A1 Team Greece|Greece]]<br/>
{{flagicon|IRE}} [[A1 Team Ireland|Ireland]]<br/>
{{flagicon|ITA}} [[A1 Team Italy|Italy]]<br/>
{{flagicon|MON}} [[A1 Team Monaco|Monaco]]<br/>
{{flagicon|NLD}} [[A1 Team Netherlands|Netherlands]]<br/>
{{flagicon|POR}} [[A1 Team Portugal|Portugal]]<br/>
{{flagicon|RUS}} [[A1 Team Russia|Russia]]<br/>
{{flagicon|SUI}} [[A1 Team Switzerland|Switzerland]]<br/>
|
{{flagicon|AUS}} [[A1 Team Australia|Australia]]<br/>
{{flagicon|NZL}} [[A1 Team New Zealand|New Zealand]]<br/>
|}

==Drivers==
[[File:Mexico leads Kiwis.png|thumb|[[A1 Team Mexico|Mexico]], [[A1 Team New Zealand|New Zealand]] and [[A1 Team Malaysia|Malaysia]] competing during the first-ever race weekend at [[2005–06 A1 Grand Prix of Nations, Great Britain|Brands Hatch]]]]
{{Main|List of A1 Grand Prix drivers}}

==Race weekend==
A1 Grands Prix of Nations took place over a three-day period, from Friday to Sunday. The teams were given five sets of dry weather [[slick tire]]s, and two sets of wet weather [[tire tread|treaded tires]] per weekend. However, if the weather was extreme, the team could be given more wet weather tires at the expense of the slick tires. The race weekend started with two one-hour practice sessions held on the Friday, and then another on the Saturday morning. A two-hour qualifying session took place on Saturday afternoon, and two races took place on Sunday. Primarily, the three practice sessions were for car setup and track familiarisation before the official competition began with Saturday qualifying. Three different drivers could participate in the three practice sessions; the driver elected for qualifying or for one of the races was required to have taken part in at least one such practice session.

===Qualifying===
A1 Grand Prix used a unique qualifying format, which began at 14:00 local time on the Saturday of the race weekend, to determine the grid lineup for Sunday's races, the Sprint Race and the Main Race. The qualifying period was split into four, ten-minute sessions.<ref name="New 08/09 Rules" /> Each car was permitted three laps per session, including the laps required for leaving the pits, and for re-entering it. This allowed one lap to set a competitive time. There was a five-minute break between sessions, which added up to a total of 55 minutes for qualifying. The grid for the Sprint Race was set based on the cars' fastest time from either the first or the second session. The grid for the Feature Race was determined the same way, but using sessions three and four. However, if there was a red flag due to an accident on the circuit, the timing to the end of qualifying continued to run.

===Sprint race===
The Sprint Race used the grid determined in sessions one and two of the previous day's qualifying session, and was held in the early afternoon. The race began from a [[rolling start]], and its duration was a maximum of 24 minutes plus one additional lap.<ref name="New 08/09 Rules" /> Additionally, each team had to make one mandatory pit stop between laps four and eight.<ref name="New 08/09 Rules" /> Drivers were permitted four uses of [[A1 Grand Prix cars#PowerBoost|PowerBoost]] during the Sprint Race.

{| class="wikitable"  style="font-size:97%; text-align:center; margin:1em 0 1em 1em; float:right;"
|+Points and prize money for 2008–09
!rowspan=2| Pos.
!colspan=2| Points
!colspan=2| Prize
|-
!{{small|Sprint}}
!{{small|Feature}}
!{{small|Sprint}}
!{{small|Feature}}
|- style="background:#ffffbf;"
!1
|10 ||15 ||align="right"|$100,000 ||align="right"|$200,000
|- style="background:#dfdfdf;"
!2
|8 ||12 ||align="right"|$70,000 ||align="right"|$130,000
|- style="background:#ffdf9f;"
!3
|6 ||10 ||align="right"|$50,000 ||align="right"|$100,000
|-
!4
|5 ||8 ||align="right"|$35,000 ||align="right"|$75,000
|-
!5
|4 ||6 ||align="right"|$30,000 ||align="right"|$50,000
|-
!6
|3 ||5 ||align="right"|$20,000 ||align="right"|$40,000
|-
!7
|2 ||4 ||align="right"|$15,000 ||align="right"|$25,000
|-
!8
|1 ||3 ||align="right"|$10,000 ||align="right"|$20,000
|-
!9
| ||2 ||align="right"|$7,000 ||align="right"|$13,000
|-
!10
| ||1 ||align="right"|$3,000 ||align="right"|$7,000
|-
|Fast lap ||1 ||1 || ||
|-
|colspan=5|<small>Only the best 9 race weekends count<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.a1gp.com/News/NewsArticle.aspx?newsId=41949 |title=New points system for 2008/09 |publisher=a1gp.com |date=29 September 2008 |access-date=29 September 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081001142335/http://www.a1gp.com/News/NewsArticle.aspx?newsId=41949 |archive-date=1 October 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref></small>
|}

===Feature race===
The Feature Race used the grid determined in sessions three and four of the previous day's qualifying session, and was held mid-afternoon. The race began from a [[standing start]], and was a race of approximately {{convert|180|km}}, with a maximum time limit of 69 minutes plus one lap. Teams had to make two mandatory pit stops during the Feature Race, one between laps eight and sixteen, and another during a pit window, which was not announced until the first window has closed. Drivers were permitted eight uses of [[A1 Grand Prix cars#PowerBoost|PowerBoost]] during the Feature Race.

====Pit stop====
Each team had to complete three compulsory [[pit stop]]s over the course of the race weekend – one during the Sprint Race, and two during the Feature Race.<ref name="New 08/09 Rules" /> During the pit stop, all four tyres on the car had to be changed. A total of eight mechanics could be used during the stop, however, only four were allowed to 'touch the car', none of which (save the so-called "lollipop man" that directed the car into its pit) could be present in the pit lane before the car came to a complete halt. Refuelling was also not permitted; infringements of these rules or of the pit-lane [[speed limit]] resulted in the imposition of a drive-through penalty.

At the end of Season 3, A1GP released the results of the season's pit stop times. Although having never won a race, [[A1 Team Australia]] had the fastest pit crew of all teams.<ref>{{cite web |author= |title=Who were the pit stop kings? |url=http://www.a1gp.com/News/NewsArticle.aspx?newsId=41731 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090115220521/http://www.a1gp.com/News/NewsArticle.aspx?newsId=41731 |archive-date=15 January 2009 |access-date=31 July 2008 |website=a1gp.com}}</ref>

===Scoring===
Unlike almost all other forms of auto racing, drivers did not score points individually; instead the points they earn were ascribed to their national team. This means that teams could change drivers between rounds, which was often necessary because some drivers had commitments in other formulae, and still accumulate points to their score.

Points were awarded for the first ten places but the amounts changed during the series' run: 15 for the winner, 12 for second place, 10 for third place, 8 for fourth place, 6 for fifth place, 5 for sixth place, and so on with 4, 3, 2, and one point for tenth place. Points were awarded in a different way for the Sprint Race: 10 for the winner, counting down 8, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, and 1 point for eighth place.<ref name="New 08/09 Rules" /> In addition, one point was awarded to the team that set the fastest single lap time in either the Sprint or Main Race. Cash prizes were also awarded.

Below is a list of pointscoring systems used to determine the winner of the A1 Grand Prix World Cup of Motorsport since the [[2005–06 A1 Grand Prix season|2005–06 season]]. The World Cup of Motorsport was awarded to the [[List of A1 Grand Prix teams|A1 Grand Prix team]] which accumulated the most points over the course of a season.

{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:85%;"
|-
!Seasons
!Race
!1st
!2nd
!3rd
!4th
!5th
!6th
!7th
!8th
!9th
!10th
!Fastest<br>Lap
!Notes
|- style="border-top:2px solid #aaa;"
|[[2005–06 A1 Grand Prix season|2005–06]]
|All
| style="background:#ffffbf;"|10
| style="background:#dfdfdf;"|9
| style="background:#ffdf9f;"|8
|7
|6
|5
|4
|3
|2
|1
|1
|
|-
|- style="border-top:2px solid #aaa;"
|rowspan=2|[[2006–07 A1 Grand Prix season|2006–07]]
|Sprint
| style="background:#ffffbf;"|6
| style="background:#dfdfdf;"|5
| style="background:#ffdf9f;"|4
|3
|2
|1
|
|
|
|
|rowspan=2|1
|rowspan=2|
|-
|Feature
| style="background:#ffffbf;"|10
| style="background:#dfdfdf;"|9
| style="background:#ffdf9f;"|8
|7
|6
|5
|4
|3
|2
|1
|- style="border-top:2px solid #aaa;"
|[[2007–08 A1 Grand Prix season|2007–08]]
|All
| style="background:#ffffbf;"|15
| style="background:#dfdfdf;"|12
| style="background:#ffdf9f;"|10
|8
|6
|5
|4
|3
|2
|1
|1
|
|- style="border-top:2px solid #aaa;"
|rowspan=2|[[2008–09 A1 Grand Prix season|2008–09]]
|Sprint
| style="background:#ffffbf;"|10
| style="background:#dfdfdf;"|8
| style="background:#ffdf9f;"|6
|5
|4
|3
|2
|1
|
|
|1
|rowspan=2|<small>Result of each team's worst race weekend will be dropped<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.a1gp.com/News/NewsArticle.aspx?newsId=41949 |title=New points system for 2008/09 |publisher=a1gp.com |date=2008-09-29 |access-date=2008-09-29 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081001142335/http://www.a1gp.com/News/NewsArticle.aspx?newsId=41949 |archive-date=2008-10-01 }}</ref></small>
|-
|Feature
| style="background:#ffffbf;"|15
| style="background:#dfdfdf;"|12
| style="background:#ffdf9f;"|10
|8
|6
|5
|4
|3
|2
|1
|1
|}

==Chassis and engines==
{{multiple image
| align = right
| direction = vertical
| image1 = A1 Grand Prix Race Car of Austria 2005.jpg
| width1 = 200
| image2 = A1 Grand Prix, Kyalami - Indonesia.jpg
| width2 = 200
| caption2 = The original Lola A1GP car ''(above)'' compared to the "Powered by Ferrari" chassis ''(below)''.
}}
The A1GP formula provided a single "spec" car for each team. Each car was mechanically identical, built with many technical restrictions designed to limit performance, reduce running costs, and prevent any one or number of teams gaining an advantage through better equipment.

===First generation===
{{main|A1 Grand Prix car}}
The Lola A1GP, chassis [[Lola Cars|Lola]] B05/52, was used in the first three seasons. These chassis were fitted with 3.4-litre [[Zytek]] engines delivering up to {{convert|550|bhp|kW}} in PowerBoost mode, and ran on [[Cooper Tires|Cooper]] tyres.

===Second generation===
{{main|A1GP Powered by Ferrari car}}
A1GP partnered with [[Scuderia Ferrari|Ferrari]] in the [[2008–09 A1 Grand Prix season|2008–09 season]] to run upgraded [[Ferrari F2004]] chassis, with the intention of using the cars for six seasons. The original 3.0L [[Ferrari V10 engine]] was replaced with a 4.5-litre [[Ferrari/Maserati engine|Ferrari/Maserati]] V8 engine was capable of delivering up to {{convert|600|bhp|kW}} in [[A1 Grand Prix cars#PowerBoost|PowerBoost]] mode. [[Michelin]] took over the tyre contract for the final season.

==Broadcasters==
Richard Dorfman was the A1GP's director of broadcasting.
All broadcaster information is correct for the [[2008–09 A1 Grand Prix season|2008–09 season]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.a1gp.com/News/NewsArticle.aspx?newsId=42064|title=Where to watch A1GP this season|publisher=A1GP|date=22 September 2008|access-date=22 September 2008| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080923043314/http://www.a1gp.com/News/NewsArticle.aspx?newsId=42064| archive-date= 23 September 2008 | url-status= live}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Country / Region || Network || Language || Period
|-
|World
|Gillette World Sport
|[[English language|English]]
|2006–07 onwards<br />2008–09
|-
|[[Africa]]
|[[South African Broadcasting Corporation|SABC]]<br />[[NT1 (television)|NT1]]
|[[English language|English]]<br />[[French language|French]]
|2007–08 onwards<br />2008–09
|-
|[[Asia]]
|[[ESPN Star Sports]]
|[[English language|English]]
|2007–08 onwards
|-
|{{AUS}}
|[[Fox Sports (Australia)|Fox Sports]]<br />[[Nine Network]]
|[[English language|English]]
|2007–08 onwards<br />2008–09
|-
|{{AUT}}
|[[Premiere (pay television network)|Premiere]]
|[[German language|German]]
|Before 2008–09
|-
|{{BIH}}
|[[Televizija OBN|OBN]]
|[[Bosnian language|Bosnian]]
|Before 2008–09
|-
|{{BEL}}
|[[NT1 (television)|NT1]]
|[[French language|French]]
|2008–09
|-
|{{BEL}}
|[[EXQI]] Sport
|[[Dutch language|Dutch]]
|2008–09
|-
|{{BRA}}
|[[RedeTV!|Rede TV]]
|[[Portuguese language|Portuguese]]
|2008–09
|-
|{{CAN}}
|[[Setanta Sports North America|Setanta]]<br />[[Speed Channel]]
|[[English language|English]]
|2008–09<br />Before 2008–09
|-
|{{CHN}}
|[[CCTV-5]]<br />[[Beijing TV]]<br />[[Guangdong TV]]<br />Shanghai TV
|[[Chinese language|Chinese]]
|Before 2008–09
|-
|{{CZE}}
|Galaxie Sport<br />[[Czech Television]]
|[[Czech language|Czech]]
|2005–2006<br />Before 2008–09
|-
|{{FIN}}
|[[Nelonen Sport]]
|[[Finnish language|Finnish]]
|2007–08 onwards
|-
|{{FRA}}
|[[NT1 (television)|NT1]]<br />[[Eurosport|Eurosport France]]
|[[French language|French]]
|2008–09<br />2005–06 to 2007–08
|-
|{{GER}}
|[[Premiere (pay television network)|Premiere]]
|[[German language|German]]
|2005–08
|-
|{{GRE}}<br>{{CYP}}
|[[Nova Sports|Supersport]]<br />[[Ellinikí Radiofonía Tileórasi|ERT]] (Greece only, Highlights only)
|[[Greek language|Greek]]
|2007–08 onwards<br />2008–09
|-
|{{HUN}}
|[[Hálózat TV]]
|[[Hungarian language|Hungarian]]
|Before 2008–09
|-
|{{INA}}
|[[GTV (Indonesia)|Global TV]]<br />[[tvOne (Indonesia)|tvOne]]
|[[Indonesian language|Indonesian]]<br>[[English language|English]]
|2005–2008<br />2008–09
|-
|{{IND}}
|[[Zee Sports]]<br />[[TEN Sports]]
|[[Hindi]]<br />[[English language|English]]
|2008–09
|-
|{{IRL}}
|[[TV3 (Ireland)|TV3]]<br />[[Sky Sports]]
|[[English language|English]]
|2007–08 onwards<br />2005–06 onwards
|-
|{{ITA}}
|[[Sky Sport (Italy)|Sky Sport]]<br />[[Rai Sport Più]]
|[[Italian language|Italian]]
|Before 2008<br />2008–09
|-
|[[Latin America|Latin]] and [[Central America]]
|[[Speed (TV channel)|Speed Latin America]]
|[[Spanish language|Spanish]]
|2007–08 onwards
|-
|{{LIB}}
|[[Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation|LBC]]
|[[Arabic language|Arabic]]
|2008–09
|-
|{{LUX}}
|[[NT1 (television)|NT1]]
|[[French language|French]]
|2008–09
|-
|{{MYS}}
|[[Radio Televisyen Malaysia|RTM]]
|[[Malaysian language|Malaysian]]
|2007–08 onwards
|-
|{{MLT}}
|Melita
|
|2008–09
|-
|{{MEX}}
|[[Televisa|Televisa Sports]]
|[[Spanish language|Spanish]]
|2007–08 onwards
|-
|[[Middle East]]
|[[Al Jazeera Arabic|Al Jazeera]]
|[[Arabic language|Arabic]]
|Before 2008–09
|-
|{{MON}}
|[[NT1 (television)|NT1]]
|[[French language|French]]
|2008–09
|-
|{{NGR}}
|Hi TV
|
|2008–09
|-
|{{NLD}}
|[[RTL 7 (Netherlands)|RTL7]]
|[[Dutch language|Dutch]]
|2007–08 onwards
|-
|{{NZL}}
|[[TV3 (New Zealand)|TV3]]
|[[English language|English]]
|2005–06 onwards
|-
|{{PAK}}
|[[GEO Super]]
|[[Urdu]]
|2008–09
|-
|{{POL}}
|[[Polsat]]
|[[Polish language|Polish]]
|Before 2008–09
|-
|{{POR}}
|[[Sport TV]]
|
|2008–09
|-
|{{RUS}}
|[[Russia TV Channel|RTR Sport]] (Highlights only)
|
|2008–09
|-
|{{SLO}}
|[[TV3 Slovenia|TV3]]
|[[Slovene language|Slovene]]
|Before 2008–09
|-
|{{RSA}}
|[[South African Broadcasting Corporation|SABC]]
|[[English language|English]]
|2005–06 onwards
|-
|{{ESP}}
|[[Sogecable]]
|[[Spanish language|Spanish]]
|2007–08 onwards
|-
|{{SWE}}
|[[Viasat Motor]]
|[[Swedish language|Swedish]]
|2008–09
|-
|{{SUI}}
|[[NT1 (television)|NT1]]<br />[[Schweizer Fernsehen]]<br />[[Premiere (pay television network)|Premiere]]
|[[French language|French]]<br />[[German language|German]]<br />[[German language|German]]
|2008–09<br />2008–09<br />Before 2008–09
|-
|{{UKR}}
|Poverkhnost TV
|[[Ukrainian language|Ukrainian]]
|2007–08 onwards
|-
|{{UK}}
|[[Sky Sports]]<br />[[Five (TV channel)|Five]] (highlights only)
|[[English language|English]]
|2005–06 to 2010–11<ref>{{Cite web|title=Sky Sports and Five renew in GBR|url=http://www.a1gp.com/News/NewsArticle.aspx?newsId=41933|url-status=dead|website=A1GP|date=26 August 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090416224528/http://www.a1gp.com/News/NewsArticle.aspx?newsId=41933|archive-date=16 April 2009}}</ref>
|-
|{{USA}}
|[[Setanta Sports North America|Setanta]]<br />[[America One]] (Post-season replays)<br />[[Speed Channel]]
|[[English language|English]]
|2008–09<br />2008–09<br />Before 2008–09
|}

==Controversies==
===2006–07 A1 Grand Prix of Nations, Beijing, China===
{{further|2006–07 A1 Grand Prix of Nations, Beijing, China}}

The first Chinese round of the 2006–07 A1GP took place on the streets of [[Jingkai Street Circuit|Beijing]]. However, the tight hairpin at the end of the back straight was too tight for the cars to negotiate safely, as it was a 180 degree left turn. Cars were running wide and stopping mid corner; therefore, the sessions were red flagged.<ref>{{Cite news|date=11 November 2006|title=More problems on Beijing track|work=[[RTÉ]]|url=https://www.rte.ie/sport/2006/1111/211172-a1gp/|access-date=19 January 2022}}</ref>

A shorter circuit was created, creating another, less tight hairpin halfway up the straight, bypassing most of the old straight. This corner was still not ideal, as drivers ran wide despite the corner being wider and had to avoid the pitlane entry barrier. It had to suffice, though, as otherwise the race would have been cancelled.

However, another problem arose in qualifying when [[manhole]] covers on the roads were coming undone due to the racing cars' high downforce and low ride height. Grid positions were decided based on practice times. Some advertising banners also came loose around the circuit.

It was announced that the races would start behind the safety car, as the first corner was also deemed unsafe.

Both races were uneventful, particularly the Sprint Race, which took place almost entirely behind the safety car after course officials failed to remove a single spun car in a timely fashion.

==See also==
*[[Formula Acceleration 1]]
*[[Acceleration 2014]]
*[[Superleague Formula]]

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{Commons}}
*{{cite web |url=http://www.a1gp.com/main.php?hf=Yes |title=Official website |access-date=2011-05-27 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061111145503/http://www.a1gp.com/main.php?hf=Yes |archive-date=2006-11-11}}
*[https://www.racing-reference.info/a1gp.htm A1 Grand Prix on Racing-Reference]

{{A1 Grand Prix teams}}
{{A1 Grand Prix races}}
{{A1 Grand Prix circuits}}
{{Class of Auto racing}}

[[Category:A1 Grand Prix| ]]
[[Category:Formula racing series]]
[[Category:Formula racing]]
[[Category:Recurring sporting events established in 2005]]
[[Category:Recurring sporting events disestablished in 2009]]
[[Category:FIA championships]]