Ralph Firman

After scoring A1 Team Ireland's first podium in the first season of the A1 GP, in the Portuguese feature race, Ralph Firman is returning to the team for the opening round, for the third season. Firman has countless achievements to his credit, and before joining the A1 Team Ireland, he was winner of the McLaren Autosport Young Driver of the Year award in 1993 as well as the British Formula Three championship winner. He also won the Formula Three World Cup in Macau.

Ralph had his first stint with Formula One in 1996, he was testing for McLaren, and again in 2002 he drove as the test driver for BAR Honda. In 2002, he also bagged the Formula Nippon championship title. Following this win, Firman met Eddie Jordan during the closed season and soon became a Grand Prix driver in 2003, when he drove an EJ13, which though not up to the mark still gave him a championship point at the Spanish Grand Prix.

Following his stint with the Formula One, Firman moved to Japan and started work as a Honda driver, for the Super GT Championship. In 2005, he finished in runner up position in the Super GT Championship and this resulted in his term with A1 Team Ireland, representing the country at the inaugural A1 GP World Cup. In 2007, Firman plans to return to the A1 GP, at Zandvoort, which will be his first since Laguna Seca, in 2006. Firman will also continue making an appearance in the Super GT Series, and is currently leading the series after two round victories.

Apart from racing, Firman is also a tri-athlete, who has already competed in the London Triathlon. Apart from this Firman has received training with the British Olympic Team, in numerous disciplines such as swimming, running, cross country skiing and cycling. Firman is also a golf enthusiast, and a keen traveler.