Two rookie drivers will make their A1GP race débuts in Mexico this weekend, with the confirmation that Team Germany will run 17-year old Christian Vietoris in place of championship leader Nico Hülkenberg, while Team France have announced that 19-year old Jean-Karl Vernay will take the place of Loïc Duval. Team Germany seat holder Willi Weber insists there is no pressure on Vietoris.

“Nico scored total wins on all of the past three race weekends, but we cannot expect Christian to match this immediately,” he said, “We don’t want to put him under pressure. In the rookie sessions, he demonstrated that he knows how to handle the car, so I just wish him two good races in Mexico. I’m sure that he’s going to represent the German colours well.”

Meanwhile Team Great Britain have recalled Oliver Jarvis in place of Robbie Kerr. Jarvis finished on the podium on his race début weekend in China.

BMW Sauber have admitted they may no longer run third driver Sebastien Vettel during the Friday practice sessions, because it restricts running for one of the race drivers.The current rules seem to be deliberately written to discourage teams from bringing on young drivers and I can’t see how this is good for the sport.