Danica Patrick and Marco Andretti are both set to race in A1GP this season, US team boss Michael Andretti has confirmed.
It was announced earlier this week that American single-seater team Andretti Green Racing would run the US entry in A1GP this season, and team co-owner Michael Andretti flew into Zandvoort this morning to announce to the world’s media his plans for the squad’s driver line-up.
He confirmed that both his son Marco, and renowned female racer Danica Patrick are in the team’s plans to race this season.
Patrick, 26, currently races one of the four AGR entries in the IndyCar Series, and is widely regarded as one of the most popular female athletes in the world. She became the first woman ever to win an IndyCar Series event when she took the chequered flag in the Indy Japan 300 at Twin Ring Motegi (Motegi, Japan) in April this season. She will become the first female driver to race in A1GP since the series began in 2005.
Marco Andretti, 21, also races for AGR in the IndyCar series, and became the series youngest ever winner when he registered his first IndyCar victory at Infineon Raceway in 2006, aged 19 years, 5 months. He also finished second in the world famous Indianapolis 500 the same season.
"One of the problems is that they both said they want to do all the races," quipped Andretti, trying to explain to the world’s media who will race at which event this season. "They are both really excited about the prospect. The patriotic side is such a unique part of this series, and A1GP is so cool in that you are able to carry your national colours.
"There are a lot of things that go into it making the decision on who will race, and one is schedules and things like that. I’m not 100 per cent sure who will race in China next month – it will probably be Marco but we are not totally sure right now.
"[AGR] being involved in A1GP makes a lot of sense and it will help get the brand out internationally. This is a great platform. We are in the racing business, and we have done well in the US and this is the perfect opportunity to get us out there. We are very serious about A1GP and very excited about it."
Californian Charlie Kimball is racing the team’s car this weekend after being called up only on Wednesday, and could also be in the team’s plans for the rest of the season.
"We called him, asked him to drive and literally in a couple of hours he was on a plane," Andretti added. "It was nice to have his experience because he has been in A1GP and raced at Zandvoort before."
A1GP.com will run an in-depth interview with Michael Andretti next week, where he talks further about his plans for the season, says how he thinks Marco and Danica will get on in A1GP, and why he is so excited to be getting involved in the World Cup of Motorsport.
- A1GP -
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