A1GP news

Morad to join A1 Team Lebanon

Daniel Morad is to utilisie his Canadian Lebanese heritage to the maximum by racing for A1 Team Lebanon this season. While Morad did undertake rookie duties for rivals A1 Team Canada at four events last season, crucially, Morad never raced for the team, so remains eligible to switch nationalities until he makes his race debut.

Currently living in near Ontario, Canada, Morad is eligible to race for Lebanon through his bloodline. In fact his father was born in Lebanon and only moved to Canada with his family when he was 18-years-old, the age Morad is now. His grandfather, Shaol Morad, was born in Beirut in 1926.

The situation can be likened to almost any other international sport, where participants can change nationality at amateur level before they turn professional, provided the governing body's regulations are met. For example, international football association FIFA says in its regulations that a player may change nationality up until his 21st birthday provided he has not played at full 'A' international level and has always been eligible under both nationalities. This is comparable with 18-year-old Morad's situation.

A1 Team Lebanon requested to A1GP officials that Morad be allowed to switch nationality, which was granted. However, when Morad makes his first start for Lebanon and earns his first cap at full level, he will have effectively marked his card and will not be able to race for any other nation.

Morad was confirmed as the team's driver at a press conference at the Le Royal Hotel in Beirut this afternoon.

"I am very proud to be returning to my roots as part of my racing career," Morad said. "Although I was a bit younger when my grandfather died I think that this happening actually makes you realise more just how important your ancestry is to your own character.

"I'm interested in rediscovering my heritage and A1 Team Lebanon is now a big part of that. This is a once-in-a-lifetime situation, and I have to grasp it with both hands. I would love to become closer to my roots and this is a way that I can do this. I'm very excited about the future ahead of me."

The season kicks off at Zandvoort on 5 October, where Morad will be chasing the team's first ever points finish in its 65th A1GP start.

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