The unusual decision was prompted by Jonny Reid’s strong form at the last round in Shanghai, where he followed up a second place in the Sprint race with victory in the Feature.

Reid’s team-mate Matt Halliday was penciled in to race at Brands Hatch, however, with Reid looking so strong team officials have decided to split the driving between the pair of them.

It will be the first time that A1 Team New Zealand has split driving duties – and exactly how it will be split will be decided on Saturday lunchtime after practice.

Both will drive one race each, but the decision on who will drive in qualifying will be determined on practice pace.

The team has yet to clinch second place in the championship, having a 14-point advantage over Great Britain with 17 points available at Brands Hatch.

"They've both contributed so much to an outstanding season and they're both keen to help ensure we secure the runner-up spot among the 22 competing nations," said seat holder Colin Giltrap.

"We're a tight-knit team and to have the pair of them involved at the business end of the championship is a fitting reward for their efforts."

Halliday scored a podium finish in the Sprint race in the maiden A1GP race at Brands Hatch in September 2005.