Ecclestone said the new addition to the calendar would not be a threat to nearby Bahrain, which recently renewed its long term contract. "I am sure that Bahrain and Abu Dhabi will work closely together to make sure Formula One is very successful in this part of the world, which is very important," Ecclestone told reporters.

I can't see them getting rid of a UK race. There would be a hell of a lot of complaints if they did!

Why would Ecclestone care what the punters think? He hasnt for a long time so i cant see him changing!!

Bernie Ecclestone at the weekend reiterated his desire to expand formula one's annual calendar to 20 races by 2009.

"At the moment we've got five countries waiting to see if we can put a race there," the F1 supremo said in Abu Dhabi, the scene for a new grand prix in 2009.

India, Russia, Greece and Singapore are among those at the top of Ecclestone's wish list as he tries to shift the sport's western Euro-centric tilt.

The 2007 calendar features 17 stops, after teams baulked at the unprecedented schedule of 19 races in 2005.

But Ecclestone, who also admitted that one or two night races are on the agenda, continued: "We are aiming for 20 races."