Bernie Ecclestone has dashed Dubai’s hopes of securing a formula one race.
As recently as late last year, the Middle Eastern emirate was in contention for a grand prix.
At the weekend, however, the 76-year-old F1 supremo unveiled Dubai’s neighbour Abu Dhabi as the sport’s next long-term host in 2009.
Bahrain hosts the Middle East region’s existing formula one race.
Ecclestone said: “This part of the world is now very well served so I don’t see there is a lot of point in (looking) anywhere else (in the region).”
Meanwhile, Ecclestone in Abu Dhabi expressed disappointment in F1’s drivers, after three of them – Sakon Yamamoto, Scott Speed and Michael Ammermuller – stalled their cars during their Saturday street runs to celebrate the announcement of the ’09 race.
The Briton admitted: “This was an appetiser for the main course, but to be honest I didn’t think the appetiser was that good.”
GMMF1
DailyF1News.com
