ABU DHABI, Dec. 18 (Xinhua) -- Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), will sponsor the Formula One Abu Dhabi Grand Prix for three years from 2009, local newspaper Gulf News reported on Tuesday.

    According to a deal between Etihad Airways and the Formula One Group, the Grand Prix in Abu Dhabi will be named the "Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix" until 2011.

    The deal also provides Etihad Airways with a major trackside advertising package and podium branding for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

    "To have secured the title sponsorship for the inaugural Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and beyond is a tremendous honor for Etihad Airways and will enable the airline to increase its reach to a global audience," the airline's CEO James Hogan said.

    In February, Abu Dhabi was granted the right to host a F1 Grand Prix for seven years starting in 2009.

    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.