A1GP’s Great Britain team plans use next week’s official test at Silverstone to announce which of its existing drivers will start the season and who its new rookie driver will be.
The team believes its strong finish to last season – three wins and three second places from the final six races – gives it momentum for the new season, which begins in the Netherlands on September 30.
Despite a recent restructuring that saw team boss John Surtees leave, both Oliver Jarvis and Robbie Kerr have long been confirmed as the team’s two race drivers. The Silverstone test, which will feature more than 20 teams, will see the announcement of which of the pair will pilot the car in the first two races, at Zandvoort and Brno.
Jarvis said: “I can’t wait to drive the British A1GP car again, especially since I think this season will prove to be the most competitive yet.
“With such limited testing, the official pre-season test is obviously an extremely important chance for both the team and the drivers to reacquaint ourselves with the car, and use the opportunity to work on both qualifying and long distance runs in order to continue our previously strong run of results.”
Kerr added: “It’s going to be great to get back in the A1GP car, particularly after the incredible experience driving at last seasons’ finale at Brands Hatch, and at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in June, which was also a fantastic event.
“Obviously the teams’ objectives are to win the Championship, and that will be our main focus during the test too.”
Performing well at the Silverstone test is particularly important because it is usually a reliable guide to form during the season – in A1GP’s two previous years, the quickest team at the test has also won the title.
Jarvis said: “The test last year proved to be a very good indicator of teams’ competitiveness so A1 Team GBR will be looking to have a strong test but the main focus will certainly be working on the set up in anticipation of the season opener at Zandvoort.”
Tony Clements, joint British franchise-holder, concluded: “By retaining essentially the same crew and drivers as last season, I believe the British entry has a very strong package ahead of the forthcoming season. Our unanimous aim is to continue with the strong form shown in the last 4 rounds of last season and improve on third place in the Championship.”