Asian Motor Sports

A1 Team Switzerland has confirmed that Giorgio Mondini will take over driving duties from Neel Jani for the final two rounds of the inaugural A1 Grand Prix Series at Laguna Seca and then Shanghai.

The 25-year-old is being given his chance in the silver, white and red car as Jani will be standing down after a pace-setting run that includes victory in the sprint race in Dubai and two pole positions thus far so that he can take up his test-driving duties with the new Scuderia Toro Rosso Formula 1 team where he will join forces with former A1 Team USA racer Scott Speed.

Giorgio was Formula Renault V6 champion in 2004 before racing in GP2 last year with the sort of form that got him noticed not only by A1 Team Switzerland but also by the Midl;and F1 team which has signed him up as its third driver at nine of the 2006 Grands Prix.

Team Principal Max Welti is confident that the team’s first change of driver will go smoothly, saying: “The team is in a strong position in the championship [it’s lying second behind A1 Team France] and we are working hard to close the gap. “I’m confident that Giorgio will settle into the team quickly and will be the perfect driver to continue building our challenge for the title.”