At a lavish ceremony in São Paulo yesterday, three-times FIFAWorld Player of the Year Ronaldo and two times F1 World Champion EmersonFittipaldi unveiled A1 Team Brazil's entry to the World Cup of Motorsport in theiconic green and gold colours of the Brazilian flag.

Ronaldo has bought into the A1 Grand Prix series bringing with him a potential182 million fans through securing the involvement of the world's sixth largestcountry.

Speaking at the launch ceremony, Ronaldo said: 'Like soccer, A1GP is a teamsport. In soccer, we have already won the World Cup five times and it would bewonderful to win the first motor racing world cup as well. The participation ofEmerson who has two F1 world titles and two Indy 500 victories to his name aswell as an unquestionable level of technical knowledge, is justified by ourcommon goal to put Brazil in an atmosphere of technological innovation and highdose adrenaline.'

Emerson Fittipaldi also spoke of his excitement at being involved in A1: 'Theconcept of A1 Grand Prix is fantastic. This category gives the edge to thedriver as all the cars are identical. Brazilian fans will be able to support ourTeam in the same way they support the national soccer team. Our project willcreate the conditions for young drivers to stand out in world motorsport.'

A1 Grand Prix Founder, President and Chairman Sheikh Maktoum went on to say:'Brazil has produced some of the greatest legends that both football andmotorsport have ever seen and I am delighted to have the opportunity to unitethese sports through A1. The Brazilian people are known world-wide for theirpassion in both arenas and I am sure they will support their national A1 teamwith the same enthusiasm. Through A1 Grand Prix, the 182 million strongpopulation of Brazil will have the same level of access to motorsport that theycurrently enjoy with football. The format of A1 Grand Prix, with points going toNations and not drivers, will allow a multitude of young people to shine on theinternational stage. If you have the passion and the talent to compete, A1 GrandPrix will make it happen.'

1.   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 teams  that will race in the inaugural season of the World Cup of Motorsport. With only  nine spaces left on the grid, the competition is fierce between a further 14  countries all vying to secure a space for their team.

3.   Following the summer sun around the globe, A1 Grand Prix will deliver 12weekends of exciting racing action outside of the traditional motorsport season,kicking-off at Brands Hatch in the UK on 25 September 2005 before travelling toGermany, Portugal, Australia, Malaysia, United Arab Emirates, Indonesia orSingapore, South Africa, Mexico, both east and west coast USA and China. Fulldetails of the provisional race calendar can be found at a1gp.com.

4.   All A1 Grand Prix races will be shown live across a worldwide network oftelevision stations. An announcement detailing television rights-holders willfollow shortly.