A1 Team Indonesia has called up Zahir Ali for the main driver role at the fifth round of the 2008/2009 season of the A1GP World Cup of Motorsport in South Africa this weekend. Zahir, who has taken up rookie driver duties for the team during this season will now have the honour of leading his nation at Gauteng with the series also debuting at the Kyalami circuit. The driver rotation will see Zahir leading the Indonesian nation for the remaining five rounds of the A1GP 2008-2009 season.

A1 Team Indonesia Team Principal Bagoes Hermanto commented, “The change in driver line up is a part of the A1 team Indonesia vision to support and improve the careers of young Indonesian drivers. We are aware it will be a tough weekend for Zahir in Gauteng, but he has already shown natural speed and ability in the A1GP car so far this season. We are constantly striving to improve the team and achieve stronger results for the fans.”

Zahir commented ahead of this weekend’s race, “I am very proud to be given the honour of representing my nation in A1GP, I will give my best efforts to the team and my aim will be to achieve two solid finishes in the races. I have limited experience of the A1GP car Powered by Ferrari in comparison to some of the other drivers, but I hope to get to grips with the car and the new circuit as quick as possible.”

The A1 Team Indonesia driver Satrio Hermanto also showed his support to the team and their decision, “I respect the team’s decision and I will aim to keep myself fit and in good shape so I will be ready if the team call me to national duty again in the future.”

The team will depart from Indonesia on Tuesday 17 February, to make the trip to Johannesburg, South Africa.

The Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit is a world famous motorsport venue with a rich international and national motorsport heritage, and is located at Gauteng Province, South Africa. The circuit measures 4, 26 km and is laid out in a clock-wise direction. There are 11 turns, which include three of the corners of the original grand prix circuit, built in 1961 and rated internationally as one of the great circuits in the world. These are the fast right-hander called Sunset (turn 4), the tight left-hander known as Clubhouse (turn 5) and the fast downhill Esses (turn 6). The current circuit layout was built in 1991, with only one minor addition since, the building of a chicane at the penultimate corner (turn 10).

The A1GP event in Gauteng, South Africa kicks off this weekend with the rookie driver and developing nations’ sessions on Friday from 10.45 to 11.15 and again from 11.35 to 12.05. Later the practice session for all nations takes place from 14.00 to 15.00. Final practice and qualifying for the Sprint and Feature races will take place on Saturday with the two races scheduled to run on Sunday at 11.00 and 15.00 respectively.