he motorsport where each team represents a country will now have its production line factory based in the Algarve, creating 350 direct jobs in the region.

Tony Teixeira, the South African-Portuguese President of A1GP, announced A1GP’s plans: “I have bought a 47,000 m² plot within the Algarve Motorpark”, confirming speculation that the racing championship factory would move to Portugal, adding that the location will boast “head offices, an A1GP factory with 35 sections, another A2 car factory, restaurants and all of the merchandising products.”

Paulo Pinheiro, CEO of the Algarve MotorPark, added that, besides the factory, all research and development will also take place in Portugal in the future, taking the honours from England and Italy. Construction of the factory should begin in the first half of this year.

Manuel da Luz, Portimão Mayor, has demonstrated great interest and says the Council will take part in the €30 million investment together with Turismo de Portugal and the A1GP, due to the 350 direct jobs the factory will represent.

The transferral of the A1GP factory and services to Portugal has always been one of Tony Teixeira’s ambitions, and having taking over the company since Sheik Maktoum Hasher Maktoum Al Maktoum’s withdrawal from the motor sport, his hopes have now become a reality.

Another promising statement made by Tony Teixeira is his intention of possibly creating a new Formula 1 team based in Portugal, with its headquarters based in the same grounds as A1GP’s: “The team will be based in Portugal and subsidized by the Portuguese Government. If this [region] intends to be an important automotive centre, it must have a Formula 1 team. It would not mean anything without Formula 1.”

Until recently, the businessman was interested in purchasing an existent Formula 1 team, such as Honda Racing, Toro Rosso or Spyker, but with the construction of the A1GP factory in the Algarve, he now wants to start his own team.

A1GP cars are all built in the same factory, with identical Ferrari engines, keeping competition very tight and focusing mainly on driving skills to win races.

Between April 10th and 12th the first A1GP race ever in Portugal will be taking place at the Algarve Motorpark, for more information please visit www.autodromodoalgarve.com