Kanaan Gets N. American A1GP Ride
Looking to capitalize on Tony Kanaan’s name recognition A1GP Team Brazil announced the IRL star will take over for Nelson Piquet Jr. for the 2 North American stops on the Series schedule.
The native Brazilian and 2004 [avatar:http://cranialcavity.net/files/irl.png]IndyCar[/avatar] Champion will drive both the Monterrey, Mexico (February 26) and Laguna Seca (March 19) events in A1 Grand Prix’s inaugural season. A1 Team Brazil manager Emerson Fittipaldi announced the move after getting permission from Kanaan’s IRL team Andretti Green Racing.
Andretti Green Racing has also allowed Bryan Herta to run the same events for A1GP Team USA and the “We the People” entry.
Team Brazil with Piquet Jr. at the wheel won the first two races at the inaugural A1GP event at Brands Hatch GB but since has watched Team France steamroller the field by winning eight straight races over four events.
Nelson Piquet Jr. is the son of 3 time World Champion (1981, 1983, 1987) Nelson Piquet. The elder Piquet won his first two championships while driving for Bernie Ecclestone’s Brabham Team. The third came behind the wheel of a Williams. A huge accident while practicing for the 1992 Indianapolis 500 left him with severe leg injuries that ended his career.
Cross Posted @ Fast Machines and Asian MotorSports Blog
A1 Grand Prix, Auto Racing, IndyCar, Sports
So, does Phil Giebler keep the team USA ride until Mexico in February, or is he a one off driver for Dubai only?
As near as I can tell it’s Giebler’s ride til the end of the year with the two noted exception.
But when it gets right down to it who the hell knows, drivers are starting to be switched rather willy-nilly the last couple weeks.