Michael Andretti says he feels Surfers Paradise will be a great addition to the A1GP calendar when the Gold Coast venue takes its place on the schedule next season.

After talks with the IndyCar Series fell through, it was announced that A1GP will fill the void at the Gold Coast 300 from 2009, ensuring the presence of a single-seater race at the annual event.

Andretti, now in control of the United States A1 franchise, was the first pole sitter for a Gold Coast race back in 1991 and won the event in 1994, while son Marco Andretti made his debut at Surfers during the one-off IndyCar event at the venue following the completion of the 2008 season.

While it remains to be seen if the younger Andretti will get the chance to race at the venue in A1GP next season – with a number of drivers vying for the American race seat – Andretti Sr said he was looking forward to returning to Australian soil for even he feels is amongst the best there is.

“Surfer's is an incredible venue,” he said. “It's a great addition to the A1GP schedule; it's going to be a huge race for them.

“We're just fortunate to be in a position to compete there again in the future. Andretti Green is in a unique position in the sense that we have teams in both the IndyCar Series and A1GP, so we lost Australia from one schedule, but gained it on another.

“It's just one of those events that you want to be involved in and look forward to as a driver or as a team owner.

“Marco just got back from his first race down there and loved it. I'm sure he is going to be lobbying to drive our A1GP car when we head back there in 2009.”

I'm just freeking excited that Michael has choosen to be part of A1. With what grumblings are facing F1, A1 just might be the premire venue!