A1GP news

Youngster in for Czech Republic

A1 Team Czech Republic has announced a change of driver strategy for the rest of this season, by calling up the highly rated but inexperienced Josef Kral to race for the squad for the last four events.

Kral replaces one of the most capped drivers in A1GP, Tomas Enge, who after a double points scoring finish in Zhuhai on his season debut, failed to record another top ten finish in either of his following outings in Taupo or Sydney.

When Kral makes his debut in Durban, South Africa this Sunday he also will set a unique record - he will become the first driver to race in A1GP who was born in the 1990s. Kral's birthday is on 15 June 1990, meaning he will also become only the fourth youngest driver ever to race in A1GP.

It will be a big step up for Kral, who has been competing in the significantly less powerful Formula BMW championships in Germany and then the UK for the past two seasons. However, it bodes well for the team that he enjoyed considerable success in the formula, finishing runner-up in the UK championship last season. 'This is great news for me,' Kral said of his call-up. 'It is going to be my entry to a new world and I am really looking forward to it. It will be quite a tough debut for me but I hope to do the best possible job. Basically everything will be new.

'I have never driven such a powerful car but I have never had any problems with moving up to more horsepower. I hope that I will cope with everything at Durban and will finish the season in the Czech colours.

'I am also looking forward to it because I would like to learn the Chinese track at Shanghai and I would also like to drive on a beautiful track at Brands Hatch, which I know very well from my racing in Formula BMW.'

Kral's first taste of A1GP will be Friday morning's rookie session at Durban.

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