Abu Dhabi GP seven-year deal confirmed

Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone confirmed today, in a ceremony held at Abu Dhabi, a seven-year deal between Formula One Management and the country's board of tourism.

"We're very committed to Abu Dhabi," Ecclestone told reporters at the ceremony, "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 race will be held on Yas Island, a lavish natural Island that occupies a total land area of 2,500 hectares (around 6,200 acres).

Promising to become a unique tourist destination, Yas Island will be the home of the Ferrari theme park, which is currently under construction, and will hold business facilities, hotels, apartments, marinas and a golf resort.

The Formula One track, designed by Hermann Tilke, will be 5.8 kilometres long, featuring the designer's signature long straight leading into a slow hairpin.

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

"One part of the track is a permanent facility, and the other is 2.5-km city track through the streets [of Yas], and running in front of the marina."

Ecclestone himself was certain this track will be Tilke's best yet.

"The Tilke group has learnt its lessons from the tracks it built in the past and put all those lessons in to this track," Ecclestone stated.

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