David Garza joins the A1 Team Mexico… against all odds

David Garza will replace Michel Jourdain this weekend during the 4th round of the season in the A1 Grand Prix championship.

In Zhuhai, China, Garza will drive for the first time for A1 Team Mexico – his national team.

The young Mexican raced this season in Champcar Atlantic where he finished 17th, but it was during a test in Formula Renault V6, at Phakisa in South Africa, that he was spotted by the director of the Mexico team – Les Jones.

He had then completed his test just 0.005 seconds off the track record with a car of the same type…

« We made a very tough decision today, », said Lee Jones.

« Michel [Jourdain] has done a good job so far, but after what David [Garza] has shown us in recent days, I think he deserves the chance to represent his country in A1GP. »

He showed a lot of courage and resourcefulness, especially in high-speed turns which are very important in our discipline. He has the speed and talent necessary to do very good work, but most importantly, he is committed and truly wants to do it, and that’s undoubtedly the most important thing.

Jones added: « He is young but already very professional, he knows how to listen, he learns quickly, and he is open to any suggestion, which makes me confident in the decision we made. »

Garza has already signed with Forsythe/Pettit Racing in the Champcar Atlantic for next season and hopes to move up to division 1 in 2009.

Jourdain, for his part, had made his appearance with Mexico during the second round of the season, in the Czech Republic.