LUIS FIGO AND CARLOS QUEIROS LAUNCH A1 TEAM PORTUGAL
Less than one week after A1 Grand Prix's first race calendarrevealed Estoril as the host of the third round in the 12-race global series,Portugal received a further boost to its international motorsport reputation asA1 Team Portugal became the first country in continental Europe to unveil itsA1GP car.
At a prestigious ceremony attended by Portugal's Secretary of Sport LaurentinoDias, prominent business leaders and high-profile sporting stars includingPortugal's national team football coach Luis Felipe Scolari, co-seat holdersReal Madrid and Portugal International star Luis Figo and Manchester UnitedAssistant Manager Carlos Queiros revealed the Portuguese race car in traditionalcolours amid fireworks and lasers at the magnificent Centro Cultural de Belem inLisbon.
Speaking at the launch Figo said: 'I have always dreamed and I continue to dreamof a Portugal capable to fight for a victory on all fronts. Because of this ideaof a competitive country, open to the biggest international challenges, Idecided to be associated with the creation of A1 Team Portugal. So that inmotorsport as well, we can demonstrate our talent and daring, in a competitiveformat that provides a level playing field, and to project Portugal as a countryof champions.'
Queirós went on to say: 'The creation of A1 Grand Prix is going to revolutionisethe competitive format of world motorsport, giving opportunities to countrieslike Portugal to rival developed nations on an equal basis, to demonstrate thevalue of its team and to compete for victory in each race. This project allowsthe image of Portugal and its main brands to develop and allows the Portugueseto demonstrate again all their passion for motorsport and enhance the sport withhundreds of thousand of fans in our country.'
Welcoming A1 Team Portugal to the Series, A1 Grand Prix CEO Tony Teixeira said:'It is fantastic to see international football stars of the calibre of Figo andQueiros involved in A1 Grand Prix bringing football fans to the motor racingarena. We are close to reaching our target of 25 countries and we are delightedthat the series is overwhelmingly over-subscribed.'
A1 Grand Prix Founder, President and Chairman Sheikh Maktoum concluded the eventsaying: 'Portugal is a nation with a great heritage and through A1 Team Portugaland the Estoril race, I believe it can reclaim its position as one of theleading countries in international motorsport. Through the medium of A1 GrandPrix, Portugal has the opportunity to showcase itself as a country, but also todemonstrate the growth and development in its business sector and portray thisto the world.'
On Tuesday 31 May, A1 Team Portugal official drivers Pedro Lamy, Alvaro Parenteand João Urbano all took to the track at Estoril to test the A1 race car.
Notes to Editors1. A1 Grand Prix is the first opportunity in any area of motorsport for nations to compete with other nations on an equal basis. 25 national teams will race identical cars with no electronic driver aids. Performance is determined by human bravery, skill and excellence.2. To date, A1 Grand Prix has officially announced 16 of the 25 national teamsthat will race in the inaugural season of the World Cup of Motorsport. With onlynine spaces left on the grid, the competition is fierce between a further 10countries all vying to secure a space for their team.3. All A1 Grand Prix races will be shown live across a worldwide network of television stations. An announcement detailing television rights-holders will follow shortly.
The following calendar has been submitted to the FIA for World Council approval.Confirmation of the final A1GP race calendar will be published by 31 July 2005.
Date - Circuit - Location
25 September Brands Hatch United Kingdom 2005
9 October Eurospeedway GP Germany23 October Estoril Portugal6 November Eastern Creek Australia20 November Sepang International Malaysia11 December Dubai Autodrome United Arab Emirates15 January 2006 TBC Indonesia/Singapore129 January Durban (Street race)/ South Africa Cape Town212 February Parque Fundidora Mexico Monterrey26 February San Antonio, Texas USA (Street race)12 March Laguna Seca, California USA26 March Beijing Goldenport3 TBC China
1. Both Indonesia and Singapore are competing to host the seventh race in A1GP's first season.2. At present, either a Durban Street Race is or the Killarney Circuit in Cape Town will host the eighth race on the calendar.3. Subject to FIA Grade 2 approval or alternative circuit as directed by theChinese government.4. All races proposed on the 2005/06 season A1GP race calendar above are subject to FIA World Council approval and the successful completion of commercial agreements between the circuit management and A1 Grand Prix.
