The brand new nation-based championship Acceleration is about to begin, and we are happy to announce here some of the confirmed drivers.
Nigel Melker will race with Team Netherlands.
The talented Dutch driver has performed well these last few years in top series, such as Formula 3, GP2 Series and the World Series by Renault.
“It’s FA1!”, Melker started excitedly. “I am really happy with this deal. After the Acceleration test in Valencia, things started accelerating quickly and team manager of Team Azerti Wim Coekelbergs had a good proposal for me. We have a great connection and the nations cup concept is fantastic, so it didn’t take me long to decide. These people truly believe in me, also for the future. And, of course, it is wonderful to be able to defend the colours of your country, a great honour. We are headed for a fun year!”
Sebastian Balthasar
We are very satisfied that Sebastian Balthasar has decided to join the FA1 Series, Acceleration’s top category. Sebastian, who will represent his country Germany will be in great company. Previously the Team Germany car has been raced by Hulkenberg, Sutil, Vietoris, Scheider and Lotterer a great pedigree!
Sebastian, who successfully raced Formula 3 last year, being the youngest winner of the Trophy ranking of the ATS Formula 3 Cup at just 17 years of age, will in a short period of time have to adjust and learn how to handle long races and strategy, pit stops and of course the Michelin shoed 550 BHP Lola/Zytek car.
Bobby Issazadhe, Country Manager: “We have been working with Sebastian in Formula 3 so we already know each other. We also know that he is a very bright, ambitious and highly motivated young driver so I am confident he will very soon be challenging the more experienced drivers for podiums and race wins.”
The first Acceleration season starts on the Portuguese Autodromo Internacional do Algarve during the last weekend of April (25, 26, 27 April).
ACCELERATION
Acceleration is a new nations championship. Unlike previous concepts, multiple series are taking part in the Acceleration programme: single seaters, pickup trucks, legend cars and bikes. They will all race in the colour setting of a country. During the season it will not be the drivers that earn points to their name, but the countries they represent.
FA1
The cars from the FA1 category are the former A1GP cars. With 550 hp, Michelin tyres and a lot of downforce, these cars guarantee spectacular races. Furthermore, the sound is pure and loud, the way it is supposed to be in auto sport. The drivers will have two races: a sprint race on Saturday for 30 minutes with two mandatory pit stops and a main race on Sunday for 45 minutes with two mandatory pit stops. The winner of the championship is entitled to a completely free FA1 season in 2015 and is offered a GP2 test day in Abu Dhabi.