Teixeira thanks Ecclestone for help

By Michele Lostia and Glenn Freeman

Wednesday, January 2nd 2008, 11:14 GMT

A1GP chairman Tony Teixeira says that Bernie Ecclestone helped in the final stages of the championship's recent deal with Ferrari.

The series announced the deal at the start of its current season, and Teixeira says that Ecclestone has been very supportive.

"I want to thank Bernie for the help he gave us in the final stages of the agreement," Teixeira told Gazzetta dello Sport.

"(Our relationship) is good, and he congratulated me at Monza for the deal closed with Ferrari."

Teixeira added that the initial contact with Ferrari came from him six months ago, and he believes that both parties will benefit from the partnership, as A1GP visits several key markets for Ferrari.

"For A1GP there's nothing better than Ferrari, while as far as Ferrari is concerned, A1GP gives the company the opportunity of being present in several emerging countries," he said.

"We have already scheduled two races in China and one in Malaysia for 2007-08. Obviously we keep an eye on all the most relevant markets and we hope to announce new races soon."

Ferrari will start supplying the cars and engines to the series from the beginning of the 2008-09 season.