15/03/2005
NEWS STORY
At the launch of Mexico's entry in the A1 Grand Prix series, it has been revealed that Brazil is to enter a team, with football legend Ronaldo having bought the franchise.
"I am delighted to announce another team from the Americas will be partaking," said series founder, Sheikh Maktoum Hasher Maktoum Al Maktoum at today's Mexico launch, "and it's very significant, I believe, to have Brazil participating and what's more significant is that the team has been purchased and is represented by Ronaldo the football player.
"So now we have three countries in the Americas," he continued, "we have Canada, Mexico and Brazil.
"It's an entire country buying the national seat," said the Sheikh. "So now Ronaldo is representing the country as Captain of the football team, and he's representing the country in motorsport, leading the nation in the World Cup of Motorsport, so that's a guaranteed couple of hundred millions fans right there."
'It's an honour to represent Brazil in any way I can," said the Brazilian, who was not present at today's launch, "whether that's on the football pitch or by backing our national motorsport team.
"Like football, A1 Grand Prix is a team sport," he continued. "Ultimately, it will be the country who will win the World Cup of Motorsport, not the driver. We've won the football World Cup more times than any other nation – it would be great to win the first ever World Cup of Motorsport to go alongside it."
The addition of Brazil, a country with a rich tradition of racing legends, gives A1 GP even more kudos, and from what we understand several more major announcement are in the pipeline.