Forsythe Racing will downsize its Champ Car Atlantic Series attack from four to two cars in 2007 and will instead benefit from Red Bull backing and the skills of two North American starlets backed by the firms extensive driver development programme.

At just 15 years of age Arkansas born John Edwards will almost certainly become the youngest driver in the series and he will partner Canadian Robert Wickens who, at 17 years of age, will also become one of the youngest drivers in the series.

Both are part of the Red Bull Junior Team driver development programme and as a result, the team will now sport the familiar livery of the energy drink brand.

“We're very proud to partner with Red Bull,” stated Peter Davies, Forsythe's senior vice president of business development. “They are an extraordinary company.

“The relationship really came out of their involvement in Formula One and their relationship formally with Cosworth, which of course (Champ Car World Series co-owners) [Gerald] Forsythe and [Kevin] Kalkhoven have an interest in. They've met the principals. They were able to share their vision of the Champ Car and the Atlantic programs with them. Happily, Red Bull thought this was a very good place to bring themselves as a brand, as far as regards to Atlantic goes, to bring Robert and John to Forsythe.”

Although their youth and relative inexperience could count against them initially as they graduate to what will be the fastest and most powerful vehicles either of them have ever driven, Edwards and Wickens come to the team with good claims to being major stars of the future.

Wickens is the 2006 Formula BMW USA Champion while Edwards, who became the youngest driver to gain an FIA license when he was just 14, has been racing in Formula Renault in Europe for the past two years.

“Obviously, being a Canadian, getting the opportunity to be a part of Forsythe, really is an honour,” explained Wickens, who joins a long line of famous Canadian names to have been part of the Forsythe set-up. “When I was fortunate enough to sign the contract with Forsythe and Red Bull, I was speechless just being at the same table with Gerry Forsythe. Everything has just pretty much a dream come true. I find myself pinching myself making sure I'm not sleeping.”

For Edwards, the announcement was more of a surprise than anything else although, despite his lack of years, showed remarkable maturity after a somewhat remarkable last 24 months.