Abu Dhabi secures long-term F1 Deal

Abu Dhabi will host a Formula 1 grand prix from 2009 in a calendar that could swell to 20 races, the sport’s CEO Bernie Ecclestone confirmed on Saturday.

Speaking at the ‘F1 festival’ event in the Gulf emirate, Ecclestone revealed that his Formula One Management company has signed a seven-year contract with the Abu Dhabi tourist board.

The race will be held on Yas Island, a 6,000-acre natural island that is in the process of being developed into a multi-faceted leisure complex, with a Ferrari theme park, hotels, apartments, restaurants and a golf resort.

“We’re very committed to Abu Dhabi,” Ecclestone told a news conference.

“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.”

The venue will be a 3.5-mile circuit designed by F1’s favourite architect Hermann Tilke, who was responsible for the new tracks in Malaysia, Bahrain, Shanghai and Istanbul as well as modifications to numerous existing circuits.

“It was initially a flat island, but we’ve created some man-made hills, so the track will rise up and down,” said Tilke.

“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 a permanent facility and the other is a 2.5km city track through the streets, and running in front of the marina.”

Ecclestone is confident the hybrid layout will be a hit with drivers and the public.

“The Tilke group has learnt its lessons from the tracks it built in the past and put all those lessons into this track,” he said.

“We consider it will offer the best F1 racing in the world.”

The F1 supremo said the new race in Abu Dhabi would not be a threat to the established event in nearby Bahrain, which joined the calendar in 2004 and recently agreed a long-term contract renewal.

“I am sure that Bahrain and Abu Dhabi will work closely together to make sure Formula 1 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.”

Source: ITV.com/F1

who knows, maybe there could be 2 races.kipi19

I went to the F1 Festival today, it was so cool!!! :D I'll post the pics and vids very soon! I'm so glad that F1 is finally coming to where I live, it's like a dream coming true! :)aloushi87

yeh ur lucky :P :D

Also, which car was best looking (im sure theres a difference from looking at them on TV and in reality)? did u see any cars up close? did u meet any drivers or famous ppl? get ur pic taken with them? get autographs? did Bernie Ecclestone try to steal ur money? was there beer?

*pours bucket of water over head to calm down*