New TV role for Hinchcliffe
The series will use former A1 Team Canada racer James Hinchcliffe and Diana Binks its world feed pit lane reporters, working alongside its regular, vastly experienced commentary team of John Watson and Ben Edwards.
This will not be totally new territory for Hinchcliffe, who raced for Canada in Seasons Two and Three. He has been a co-commentator for Champ Cars’ international TV feed and also made a guest appearance in the A1GP pit lane as a reporter last season in Sepang.
He views taking on the role full-time as a natural next step: “I am thrilled that A1GP has asked me to be part of the pit lane line up for Season Four," he commented. “I got the opportunity to work with A1GP TV last season and it’s great to now be on board full-time. This is shaping up to be the best season of A1GP yet, with the introduction of the new car, and it's awesome to think that I get to watch all the action unfold from pit lane.
“Obviously having driven in A1GP I hope I am able to bring a little bit of the driver’s perspective to the fans watching at home. There is so much that is happening in the driver’s seat and being able to relay all that excitement to those watching on television will definitely be a new and fun challenge for me."
Diana Binks, who was born in Scotland, is no stranger to the world of motorsport, as she has worked in various categories from bikes to cars and currently fronts the British Formula 3 and British GT Championship for Channel 4 in the UK. She also hosts late night sport for Five and is a regular reporter on sportscars, triathlon and endurance sports events.
Binks knows how tough being a pit lane reporter can be, having spent 22 hours of a Le Mans 24-hours in the pit lane. She has a wealth of experience working both in front of and behind the camera for the likes of Channel 4, Five, ITV, Sky Sports, Speed TV in the USA and Motors TV in Europe.
After following the previous seasons of A1GP on Five, she is excited about joining the team in China: “I am delighted to be joining the A1GP Team. I am equally looking forward to teaming up again with Ben Edwards having worked with him previously in the British Touring Car Championship. To be joining the team is very exciting, it will present many new challenges and I can't wait. I look forward to the prospect of working with John and James and hope that my experience will add to what is already a great team."
Richard Dorfman, Director of Broadcasting commented: “We are delighted to welcome both Diana and James to A1GP's broadcast team. Diana will bring some fresh new insights into our pit lane reports and James, being an active driver, will be able to provide our viewers with a unique viewpoint as to what it really takes to run the new A1GP Powered by Ferrari car around some of the world's most exciting motor racing venues."
The first time the new team can be seen in action will be in A1GP Chengdu, China, 7-9 November 2008.