Brazilian President Luis Inacio Lula da Silva Backs Plans for A1GP in South America

London, Great Britain, June 27, 2008 -- A1GP World Cup of Motorsport has received influential backing for the series to hold its first race in South America. This came during a meeting in Brazil between A1GP ambassador, Emerson Fittipaldi, and Brazilian President, Luis Inacio Lula da Silva.

The Brazilian President pledged his support for A1 Team Brazil's quest to secure a home race after meeting with Fittipaldi, who is the team's seat holder. The meeting happened last week when Fittipaldi was racing in the Brazilian GT3 Championship with his brother, Wilson. The two influential Brazilians, along with the Brazilian Minister of Sport, Orlando Silva, discussed the team ahead of the new A1GP season, during which all the teams will use the new A1GP Powered by Ferrari cars.

Following the meeting Fittipaldi commented: "We are working hard at A1 Team Brazil to raise the profile and awareness of the national team. It is invaluable to have the support of President Lula, Orlando Silva and the Government, and it is a goal of ours, in the not too distant future, to have a race in Brazil, so we will work with them on this important project.

"Another important side to A1GP is the Think Greener Racing campaign, and some of President Lula's ideas on the use of Brazilian ethanol could be very interesting for the series to explore. I am excited to think about the future of A1GP and I think A1 Team Brazil has an important part to play in it."

Tony Teixeira, A1GP Chairman, said: "We have always wanted to take an A1GP race to South America and Brazil would be our chosen location given its heritage and amazing drivers like Emerson. We are proud to have him as an A1GP ambassador as he is one of the best known and well respected former motor racing drivers. The support the series gets from the Brazilian fans is fantastic but to now also have the support of the Brazilian government is a big step forward in bringing a race to the region."

ABOUT A1GP WORLD CUP OF MOTORSPORT
Pitting nation against nation in the World Cup of Motorsport, A1GP unites 23 countries in a competition where human bravery, skill and excellence determine victory. Racing identical single-seat cars, the deliberately equalised technology allows countries as diverse as the USA, Lebanon, France, China and South Africa to compete on a level playing field.

With three days of on-track action, an A1GP event offers a rare opportunity for fans to interact with teams and drivers. Exclusively inclusive, A1GP brings the thrill of international motorsport to billions of fans across the globe.

Now preparing for its fourth season, A1GP takes in a mix of established world-famous venues plus exciting new state-of-the-art facilities and tight twisty street circuits, delivering high-speed adrenalin fuelled action at every turn.

Source: A1GP

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