Grid finalised for A1 Grand Prix

The grid for the inaugural A1 Grand Prix race at Brands Hatch this weekend has been completed with the addition of three more countries.

The self-styled World Cup of motorsport will pitch 25 nations into battle across a 13-weekend calendar, with the final three names added today, just days before practice gets under way in Kent.

Austria's entry will be managed by Red Bull boss Dietrich Mateschitz and former world champion Niki Lauda, whose son Mathias will do the driving.

Ex-grand prix driver Piercarlo Ghinzani takes charge of the Italian squad but is not expected to name his driver until Thursday while Ryo Fukuda will drive for Japan in a team led by ex-Formula One back-marker Hideki Noda.

Sheikh Maktoum Hasher Maktoum al Maktoum, the Dubai prince who is organising the new series, said: "I am pleased to welcome three countries with such a strong motorsport pedigree to the A1 Grand Prix family.

"We now have 25 countries battling for the honour of being the best in the world, in a competition that starts in only a few short days."

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