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• 2007/08 A1GP Schedule
• A1GP Live on Sky Sports

A1GP heads back to China this weekend for its penultimate round, with the 'World Cup of Motorsport' this season certainly living up to its billing as a series that can provide competition.

No fewer than eight countries still have a mathematical chance of taking the 2007/08 title, including Team Ireland whose driver Adam Carroll scored a breakthrough feature race win last time out in Mexico.

Current title leaders Switzerland arrive in China on 128 points ahead of New Zealand on 113 and A1GP's inaugural champion France, who failed to pick up any points in Mexico, on 108.

Switzerland's driver Neel Jani has never raced at the Shanghai Circuit - also home of the Chinese Formula One Grand Prix - before, but his nation could take the title on Sunday, assuming they increase their title lead to at least 33 points.

However, with the championship reaching its climax, they are bound to face stiff competition from New Zealand, whose driver Jonny Reid certainly has form in Shanghai, having won last season's feature race and set the lap record to boot.

Reid also heads to the Far East on the back of a third sprint race win of the season in Mexico, a result which, combined with France's failure to score, vaulted New Zealand up to second in the standings.

Montagny in

Meanwhile, after their poor showing in Mexico City four weeks ago with Jonathan Cochet at the wheel, France have announced that Franck Montagny will take over at both Shanghai and the season finale at Brands Hatch on May 4th.

The 30-year-old has F1 experience with Super Aguri in 2006 and has also tested for both Renault and Toyota.

Explaining the decision to recruit Montagny, Team France's sporting director Olivier Panis said: "Since the start of the season we've repeated that the title is our objective and Franck's arrival is a boost for the whole team.

"Pulling back 20 points in three races is going to be a tough challenge, but we're determined to do our absolute best to snatch the crown."

Elsewhere, Alexandre Negrao replaces Bruno Junqueira in Team Brazil's car, with the latter now having IndyCar commitments.

Meanwhile, Team Great Britain head to Shanghai eyeing France's third spot in the standings thanks to Oliver Jarvis's impressive double-podium finish in Mexico.

Robbie Kerr returns to the scene of his maiden A1GP victory, having won the Shanghai Sprint race last year, and will be aiming for a repeat performance ahead of his nation's home event.

"I'm really looking forward to returning to Shanghai," he said.

"It was absolutely fantastic getting pole position there last year and then converting it into a win for GBR, and this year I plan to go there and give it equal performance if not better."

Duncan Tappy, who joined the team in Mexico, returns to perform GBR rookie duties and support Kerr throughout the weekend.

Elsewhere, Team Mexico is to switch driver with NASCAR and sportscar racer Jorge Goeters coming in to replace David Garza.

Garza has opted to make himself unavailable for selection for the final rounds of the series, to focus on commitments in the United States.

A1GP Round Nine (Shanghai):

Track length: 5.541 km (3.387 miles)

Lap record: 1m36.033s, recorded by Jonny Reid, A1 Team New Zealand, April 2007

Points standings after round eight:

1 Switzerland 128 points
2 New Zealand 113
3 France 108
4 Great Britain 95
5 South Africa 88
6 Netherlands 80
7 Germany 77
8 Ireland 73
9 Canada 62
10 China 45
11 Brazil 44
12 India 30
13 USA 29
14 Portugal 28
15 Mexico 22
16 Australia 20
17 Malaysia 12
18 Czech Republic 10
19 Italy 7
20 Pakistan 1