JANUARY 18, 2007

Abu Dhabi plans F1 event (in 10 days from now)

Abu Dhabi may be announcing a Formula 1 Grand Prix in 2009 a little earlier than people think. We understand that plans are being laid for an event on February 1 at which an announcement could be made, with the teams having been asked to supply a car to give the event a little extra zing. We hear that World Champion Fernando Alonso may also be present, along with other drivers.

For the moment, however, there remains no official word on developments in the Middle East but there continue to be rumours of new races coming in Singapore, Valencia, Moscow and New Delhi. There is also little doubt that F1 commercial boss Bernie Ecclestone is reminding each of the ambitious new projects that there are others in the running for events.