Sports / Motor Racing |
Abu Dhabi to host F1 Grand Prix from 2009(Reuters)Updated: 2007-02-05 10:21 Abu Dhabi will host a Formula One Grand Prix from 2009 in a calendar that could be extended to 20 races, Bernie Ecclestone said on Saturday. Ecclestone told a news conference that his Formula One management company has signed a seven-year deal for a race in the capital of the United Arab Emirates. The grand prix will be held on Yas Island, a 6,000 acre natural island that will also house a Ferrari theme park, three championship golf courses as well as hotel and retail developments. The Formula One supremo said an Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, which is expected to take place at the end of the 2009 season, will not be a threat to nearby Bahrain which has hosted a race since 2004 and recently agreed a long-term deal. "I am sure that Bahrain and Abu Dhabi will work closely together to make sure Formula One is very successful in this part of the world, which is very important," he said. "At the moment we have got five countries waiting to see if we can put a race there. "We are aiming for 20 races. I think we are now well served in this part of the world," he added. "We're very committed to Abu Dhabi. It's one of the great places in the world. We have a seven-year contract, but I'm sure the race will go on forever." Ecclestone confirmed that he wants to add night races to the championship calendar with Singapore among the candidates. "I was the one who suggested it so we'll wait and see," Ecclestone told reporters afterwards. "I would like to do one or two night races. It could be good in Japan or China." Ecclestone is confident the new Abu Dhabi track, designed by German Herman Tilke whose company is also responsible for the recent new circuits in Malaysia, China, Bahrain and Turkey, would ensure thrilling races. "The Tilke group has learnt its lessons from the tracks it built in the past and put all those lessons into this track. We consider it will offer the best F1 racing in the world," said Ecclestone. He spoke after watching several leading Formula One drivers, including double world champion Fernando Alonso, do demonstration laps in front of around 10,000 people. The 5.6km circuit will include a street section and a marina section. Tilke said: "It was initially a flat island, but we've created some man-made hills, so the track will rise up and down. "It will be exciting for the spectators because overtaking will be possible. It is unique in that the track will be divided into two parts. One part will be permanent, for everyday use, while the other part of 2.5km will be used only by F1."
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