31/05/2005
NEWS STORY
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Less than one week after A1 Grand Prix's first race calendar revealed Estoril as the host of the third round in the 12-race global series, Portugal received a further boost to its international motorsport reputation as A1 Team Portugal became the first country in continental Europe to unveil its A1GP car.
At a prestigious ceremony attended by Portugal's Secretary of Sport Laurentino Dias, prominent business leaders and high-profile sporting stars including Portugal's national team football coach Luis Felipe Scolari, co-seat holders Real Madrid and Portugal International star Luis Figo (above) and Manchester United Assistant Manager Carlos Queiros revealed the Portuguese race car in traditional colours amid fireworks and lasers at the magnificent Centro Cultural de Belem in Lisbon.
Speaking at the launch Figo said: "I have always dreamed and I continue to dream of a Portugal capable to fight for a victory on all fronts. Because of this idea of a competitive country, open to the biggest international challenges, I decided to be associated with the creation of A1 Team Portugal. So that in motorsport as well, we can demonstrate our talent and daring, in a competitive format that provides a level playing field, and to project Portugal as a country of champions."
Queirós went on to say: "The creation of A1 Grand Prix is going to revolutionise the competitive format of world motorsport, giving opportunities to countries like Portugal to rival developed nations on an equal basis, to demonstrate the value of its team and to compete for victory in each race. This project allows the image of Portugal and its main brands to develop and allows the Portuguese to demonstrate again all their passion for motorsport and enhance the sport with hundreds 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 and Queiros involved in A1 Grand Prix bringing football fans to the motor racing arena. We are close to reaching our target of 25 countries and we are delighted that the series is overwhelmingly over-subscribed."
A1 Grand Prix Founder, President and Chairman Sheikh Maktoum concluded the event saying: "Portugal is a nation with a great heritage and through A1 Team Portugal and the Estoril race, I believe it can reclaim its position as one of the leading countries in international motorsport. Through the medium of A1 Grand Prix, Portugal has the opportunity to showcase itself as a country, but also to demonstrate the growth and development in its business sector and portray this to the world."
To check out our Portugal launch picture gallery, click here