WHAT IS A1 GRAND PRIX?

A1 Grand Prix is the first opportunity in any area of motorsport for nations to compete on a level playing field. It is a series where technology and innovation are deliberately equalised and performance is determined by human bravery, skill and excellence. Team and driver combine to create their advantage and the winning nation raises its flag in celebration.

A1 Grand Prix is more than just another motorsport phenomenon; it's an entirely new sport - The World Cup of Motorsport. Pitting driver against driver and country against country for the first time in history, A1 Grand Prix will bring together 25 nations representing 80 per cent of the world's population to actively compete on a level playing field.

A1 Grand Prix has created a new medium for national and international brands and organisations to promote themselves on a global scale. Through the World Cup of Motorsport, they can join forces with their national teams to be part of this unique sporting event.

The World Cup of Motorsport promotes countries and utilises the national patriotism instilled in every person on the planet not only attracting traditional motorsport and sporting fans but exciting anyone who is passionate about their heritage, country and population.

Engine

The heart of every racing car is undoubtedly its engine. The sound of a racing engine revving at full load is enough to make the hairs on the back of any racing fan's neck rise. When the engine wails, the discerning ear can tell how many cylinders the car has and eight-cylinder V-formation engines have been the favourite of drivers and engineers for years.

The all-new A1 Engine, code-named ZA1348, was developed specifically for the A1 Car by the team at Zytek Engineering.

A 3.4-litre V8 unit developing 520 bhp (550 bhp in PowerBoost mode), Zytek used its considerable expertise in theoretical analysis and practical experience to design the unit. It's got advanced electronic fuel injection, quad cams and four valves per cylinder to ensure exceptional fuel delivery even under high lateral g-forces.

Each A1 Engine will be powerful, flexible and durable - the engine block will last all season. Made of aluminum alloy, the engine block and head deliver the performance of a heavyweight in a flyweight package.

Despite its immense power the new engine weighs only 120kg - making the A1 Engine one of the lightest 3.4-litre racing engines ever made.