ABU DHABI, Feb. 3 (Xinhua) -- Abu Dhabi will host its first Formula One Grand Prix in 2009, Bernie Ecclestone announced on Saturday.

The F1 boss signed the agreement granting Abu Dhabi the right to host the race for seven years starting in 2009.

The contract can be extended beyond seven years, Ecclestone said.

The UAE will become the second country in the Middle East to host the race after Bahrain, which hosted its first Grand Prix in 2004.

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22 teams want to enter F1 for 2008

LONDON, April 1 (Xinhua) -- Twenty two teams have applied to race in the 12-team 2008 Formula One championship, the sport's governing body said on Friday. "All applicants have been invited to a meeting in London on April 10, 2006," the International Automobile Federation (FIA) said in a statement.

F1 carmakers to continue in world championships for 2008

LONDON, March 27 (Xinhua) -- Formula One carmakers announced on Monday that their teams had submitted entry forms to continue in the FIA world championship in 2008. "The five teams united through the Grand Prix Manufacturers Association...have submitted their entry forms for the 2008 Formula One world championship," the GPMA said in a statement.

Todt hints at rivalry for Ferrari

BEIJING, Jan. 9 -- Ferrari drivers Kimi Raikkonen and Felipe Massa will be trying to beat each other this Formula One season."It will be a healthy competition between two drivers that could create great results," Ferrari team director Jean Todt told Corriere Della Sera yesterday.

Ferrari backs on track for pre-Christmas tests

ROME, Nov. 29 (Xinhua) -- Ferrari Tuesday was back measuring itself up against its Formula 1 rivals but with the advantage of needing to pay less attention to tires. This is because the Italian team has been one of the few to use Bridgestone tires, which all teams must mount next season, while the others used Michelin.

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