Team Ireland bosses hail the 'Powered by Ferrari' car

Dublin, Ireland: Following the announcement by A1GP earlier today, the first image of the new 'Powered by Ferrari' car has been revealed ahead of the inaugural shakedown test in Southern England.

The CAD drawing shows the car that Belmayne A1 Team Ireland will be running when season four of the A1GP World Cup of Motorsport kicks off at Mugello, Italy this September.

A1GP's own TV commentator and Formula One legend, John Watson, will have the honour of driving the car for the first time, powered by a V8 Ferrari engine producing in the region of 600 bhp.

A1GP technical Director, John Travis, is overseeing the design, development and production of the car, based on the highly successful F2004 chassis, with Rory Byrne acting as consultant. The manufacture and supply of the A1GP engine is being overseen by Ferrari's Jean-Jacques His.

The Powered by Ferrari project was announced on 11 October 2007 when the most famous name in motorsport signed a six-year agreement to manufacture and supply all A1GP engines and provide consultancy on the design of all A1GP chassis from season four onwards. After the team's most successful A1GP season to date, including Ireland's maiden victory in Mexico City, the team is looking forward to the arrival of the new car as they look to challenge for the title in season four.

Mark Kershaw, Seatholder: "The new car represents a new era in the development of the A1GP Series and reflects the fact that Ferrari's involvement is bringing a new dimension to the World Cup of Motorsport. Sponsors and drivers have the opportunity to be part of something very exciting, a world-wide series with nation competing against nation in highly sophisticated cars powered by 600bhp Ferrari engines. The three seasons of A1GP have seen the series capture the imagination of hundreds of thousands of race fans who have attended races, while for TV viewers and motorsport fans around the world the closeness of the racing has fulfilled everyone's hopes. The new 'Powered by Ferrari' phase in A1GP's development means we can look forward with excitement to the coming seasons as Ireland battles for honours in a series which is growing in prestige and competitiveness in equal measures."

Mark Gallagher, Team Principal: "From what we have seen and heard the new A1GP car will offer drivers, engineers and teams a new level of performance and complexity. The deal between A1GP and Ferrari was always going to excite followers of the World Cup of Motorsport, but the new car design illustrates just how high the series is aiming, not only in having the best racing in the world but also cars that look and sound exciting. Anyone who wondered where A1GP would fit into the motor sport hierarchy should look no further than the new car design to see that the World Cup of Motorsport offers drivers a unique opportunity to drive a highly sophisticated race car, compete on a level playing field against world-class competition and represent their nation."

-credit: ireland