Sheikh Maktoum Hasher, a member of Dubai's ruling family and series chairman, announced the deal with the Brazilian icon during a presentation Monday of the A-1 car during the launch of the new team here.

The A-1 Grand Prix is meant to pit teams from 25 nations against one another in a series of races around the world from September to April.

The Real Madrid star joins team-mate Luis Figo in the increasingly all-star A1 GP line-up, the Portuguese player being one of the first revealed 'seat holders'.

The teams will have identical, open-wheel 550-horsepower cars built by Lola and powered by a Zytec engine.

Ronaldo and Figo will 'take to the pitch' for the opening 'game' of motorsport's World Cup when the A1GP series kicks off at Brands Hatch.

Mexico's dignitaries turned out in force to support the launch of A1 Team Mexico in the World Cup of Motorsport. Attended by guests including prominent business leaders and ministers, A1 Team Mexico President Juan Cortina introduced the race car, in full Mexican livery, at the prestigious Hipodromo de Las Americas.

Welcoming the first country of the Americas to launch their A1 Grand Prix team Founder, President and Chairman Sheikh Maktoum said, "I am immensely proud to attend the first launch of an A1 team from the Americas and would like to take this opportunity to welcome them into the growing A1 family."

"I am also very happy to announce on this occasion, that the Brazilian team has been sold to Ronaldo, one of the world's greatest athletes and national hero to the 180 million-strong Brazilian population. A1 Grand Prix is a truly global series reaching every continent in the world and as our footprint continues to expand."

Speaking of his involvement in A1 Grand Prix Ronaldo commented, "It's an honour to represent Brazil in any way I can whether that's on the football pitch or by backing our national motorsport team. Like football, A1 Grand Prix is a team sport. Ultimately, it will be the country who will win the World Cup of Motorsport, not the driver. 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."