Having just secured the 2006/07 A1GP title in China, Team Germany is already looking ahead to the defence of its crown with seat holder Willi Weber hinting that Christian Vietoris will be given the job of trying to make it back-to-back titles next season.

The 18-year-old has acted as rookie driver for the squad at a number of events this season and made his race debut in Mexico – with a best finish of ninth in the feature race – when regular driver Nico Hulkenberg was unavailable.

With Hulkenberg now set to focus on his commitments in the F3 Euroseries once the A1GP season draws to a close at Brands Hatch next month, Weber said it was likely that Vietoris will be given the chance to shine next season, filling to void left by the dominant driver from the current campaign.

“In the third A1 GP World Cup of Motorsport season Christian should fill the role that Nico played this year, because it goes without saying that we will be competing to defend our title,” he said.

“It's fantastic that the A1 GP World Cup of Motorsport was established. As a result, the historical opportunity exists to represent Germany in this sector of sport. I'm proud to be able to do exactly this in motorsport with our A1 Team Germany – and successfully too.”

Hulkenberg will race for the team at the season finale at Brands Hatch.