Ronaldo to own A1 Grand Prix team

Ronaldo is determined for Brazil to be a success in the A1 Series

Real Madrid and Brazil striker Ronaldo has acquired his country's entry in the new A1 Grand Prix series, organisers have announced.

Ronaldo follows team-mate Luis Figo and Manchester United coach Carlos Queiroz in joining the series after they were named as Portugal's franchise holders.

The series will see up to 20 drivers representing national teams in identical cars built by the UK's Lola.

"It's an honour to represent Brazil in any way I can," said Ronaldo.

"Whether that's on the football pitch or by backing our national motorsport team.

"Like football, A1 Grand Prix is a team sport, 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."

We're sold out already Sheikh Maktoum Hasher Maktoum al-Maktoum A1 GP series founder

The inaugural race of the series, which aims to be the winter alternative to Formula One, will take place at Brands Hatch in Kent on 25 September.

The series is due to finish in April, although there are no confirmed dates beyond that at Brands Hatch.

Twenty-five countries - ranging from Lebanon to China to the United States - are each to have one entry each, owned and driven by a local, and with local sponsors.

A1 president and chairman Sheikh Maktoum Hasher Maktoum al-Maktoum said he had agreements nearly ready for all 25 teams and said the final grid should be public by the end of April.

"We pretty much are guaranteed to have Germany, France, Italy, Spain - all the major European countries," he said.

"We have Africa covered, all the Middle East covered, Asia covered, Australia covered. We're sold out already."