Beirut, 3 December 2004:
Team Lebanon entered the world of international motor sport with the official announcement of the A1 Grand Prix Lebanese team. The race car, in full Lebanese livery, was unveiled on Wednesday 1st December by Lebanon’s President General Emile Lahoud at a stunning VIP gala evening at Le Royal Hotel, Beirut, hosted by Mr Nadhmi Auchi.

The President was guest of honour at the launch reception. Other dignitaries involved in the proceedings included His Highness Sheikh Maktoum Hasher Maktoum Al Maktoum and Team Lebanon leader Mr Tameem Auchi. The event was presided over by Lebanese TV celebrity Mr George Kordahi. “I am very pleased to be here tonight to celebrate this challenging Team Lebanon concept,” said President General Emile Lahoud. “The whole country will be supporting the team on the race track, while the rest of the world will see the strength, pride and determination of Lebanon and its people. I am sure that we will all be very proud of A1 GP Team Lebanon.”

Team leader Tameem Auchi then introduced the Lebanese car: “We want the Lebanese people, both here and around the world, to be proud of the team that is bearing their national colours. This launch event is a clear demonstration that Team Lebanon is a serious player, one that will bring success to those involved.” The world debut of the A1 Grand Prix Lebanese Team saw the A1 Grand Prix racing car, bedecked in the red and white colours of the Lebanese national flag and featuring the famous Cedar of Lebanon on the sidepods, emerging with a roaring engine to a fanfare of sound and light. The car made its way down a specially constructed 30 metre runway to finish in the middle of the reception.

At the launch, Sheikh Maktoum said: “A1 Grand Prix is delighted to welcome Mr Nadhmi Auchi, his son Tameem and the Lebanese A1 Grand Prix team as the first Arab nation to join the global family in the World Cup of Motorsport. It shows the entrepreneurial spirit of the Lebanese people and business community and is a demonstration of how Lebanon now wishes to showcase its achievements and new image to the world.”

As a welcome addition to the evening, A1 Grand Prix was pleased to announce four new national seat holders to A1 Grand Prix’s World Cup of Motorsport. Country Seat Owners…..

• Mexico – Mr. Juan Cortina Julio Jauregui
  
• Turkey – Mr. Valkan Ertas Korea
  
• Auto Racing Korea – Mr. Maximus Wie
  
• Holland – Mr. Jan Lammers
  

Full profiles of the new seat holders will be announced in the next few days.