A member of Dubai's royal family has today announced plans to buy into the sport, with the prospect a team could be competing next season.
The Middle East made its Formula One debut as a venue this year when Bahrain hosted a grand prix in April, and interest in the region has since soared.
A statement on behalf of Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed al-Maktoum, president of Dubai's civil aviation, was issued this morning to confirm his interest in buying a Formula One team.
Formula One supremo Ecclestone would be delighted to welcome a team from the Middle East: “It would be good for Formula One as a whole.”
It is understood the independent teams involved in Formula One - Jordan, Minardi and BAR, have been approached by representatives of the al-Maktoum family.
Financially-troubled Jordan are believed to be al-Maktoum's target, with the team retaining their factory-base at Silverstone, albeit run from Dubai.
Al-Maktoum has said: “I am delighted to reconfirm my support to GPI and the purchase of a Formula One team, which will then become known as the official Dubai team.”
Jordan is believed to have had offers in the past to relocate outside Europe and team principal Eddie Jordan was this weekend rumoured to be on the verge of selling shares in his team.
Filed by Barry McEneaney
