Figo and Manchester United [ Images ] assistant manager Carlos Queiroz are among the franchise holders of A1 Team Portugal and ex-Formula One driver Pedro Lamy will lead the outfit, chief executive Luis Vicente told a news conference on Monday.

The provisional calendar comprises 12 races, the third of which will be at Estoril in October.

The Dubai-based championship, billed as the "World Cup of motor racing", plans to start at Brands Hatch, England [ Images ] on September 25 to fill European winter months when there is no Formula One racing.

The single-seater 3.4 litre V8 cars will be provided by A1 and run on a franchise basis by 16 national teams with drivers and sponsors from that country.

The participating teams are: Australia [ Images ], Brazil [ Images ], Britain, Canada [ Images ], China, India [ Images ], Lebanon, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand [ Images ], Pakistan, Portugal, South Africa [ Images ], South Korea and Turkey.