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LONDON - Formula One champions Ferrari have signed a six-year deal to provide engines and design cars for the A1GP series from 2008, organisers announced yesterday, without giving financial details.
The partnership with the self-styled 'World Cup of Motorsport' includes an exclusive licensing agreement for A1GP merchandise to use the Ferrari name and phrase 'Powered by Ferrari' from January.
From 2009, the FIAT-owned Italian sportscar maker will also supply engines to a new regional A2GP series as well as designing and consulting on the manufacture of that single seater car.
"This has never been done by Ferrari before," A1GP chairman Tony Teixeira told Reuters in an interview.
"From today, A1GP will be taken very seriously as a true global motor racing series.
"For A1, I think the credibility issue is totally resolved and put to rest. Ferrari would not do anything to jeopardise its brand," he added.
Launched in 2004, A1GP involves teams from 22 nations competing with equal cars on five continents. The current chassis are made in Britain by Lola with Zytek 3.4 litre V8 engines.
Teixeira said Ferrari were expected to provide around 50 cars and engines, with the car design expected to be based on this year's F2007 Formula One racer but built by another company.
"If Ferrari can deliver a 650-700 hp car that is a few seconds off F1 pace, then you will want to drive for your country because you know you are driving the best equipment available," he said.
The 2007/2008 championship started last month and ends at Britain's Brands Hatch circuit in May after races in the Netherlands, Czech Republic, Malaysia, China, New Zealand, Australia, South Africa and Mexico.
Ferrari, who won the Formula One constructors' title for a record 15th time this year after McLaren were stripped of all their points, also provide engines to the Toro Rosso and Spyker grand prix teams.
Teixeira said the plan was to make A2GP a feeder series for A1, ensuring that each country had drivers who had already proved their worth nationally.
"Every single nation competing in A1GP will have to have a national series, and a driver will have to win his national championship to represent his country in A1GP," he said.
The A2GP engines could carry another brand name from within the FIAT group.
- REUTERS
