Cancelled Races, Recession, Swine Flu: all affected A1GP, the unique World Cup of Motor Sport.  While no one factor can ultimately be blamed, A1GP suffered a perfect storm of global calamity and economic crisis that brought an untimely end to the burgeoning concept.

In the second season, founding Dubai Sheikh Maktoum Hasher Maktom Al Maktoum sold his majority stake to RAB Capital stepping down as chairman.  At the end of the third season (right at the launch of the Powered by Ferrari car), RAB Capital stopped their sponsorship.  This brought all financial responsibility “inhouse” right at the beginning of what would become one of the worst global economic periods.

The 2008 global financial crisis, the most severe financial episode since the Great Depression, stemmed from the collapse of the U.S. housing bubble and subprime mortgage market. This triggered a widespread panic due to the interconnectedness of global financial systems, leading to major bank failures, government bailouts, and a global economic recession. Series and team sponsorships began to disassemble as globally all companies were starting to tighten the proverbial belt.

The 2008/2009 season was not without its scheduling hurdles.  The opening round of the 2008/2009 season at Mugello (Italy) was postponed following delay in the build schedule of the new chassis.  The Jakarta Street Circuit (Indonesia) was replaced with China for Rd2 and was going to be held in 2009, but cancelled in January due to circuit missing a circuit construction deadline.  In the week before Brands Hatch (United Kingdom), the series finale at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez (Mexico) had to be cancelled due to an outbreak of swine flu, thus Brands Hatch unexpectantly became the championship ending round.

Ultimately, this building list of factors led to the unfortunate early end of the series, as the 2009/2010 season opener in Surfer’s Paradise (Australia) was cancelled just a month out from the event.  The shattered reputational damage of the aborted season opener was the last official word as the remaining races started to be called off.