The official support races for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix have been announced as the Chevrolet Supercars Middle East Challenge, GP2 Asia Series and Porsche Mobil1 Supercup.

The races will have the usual support race slot in a Formula One race weekend - preceeding the Grand Prix - on Saturday and Sunday. There will be the customary practice and qualifying sessions, and each race will last for around 30 minutes.

‘The demanding track layout will be a new and tough challenge to drivers and teams,’ said Bruno Senna, former Porsche Supercup and GP2 driver and nephew of Ayrton, after a recent visit to the Yas Marina Circuit.

In total, 26 cars will make up the GP2 Asia grid and 20 Lumina CSVs will fill the marina-side track for the Chevrolet Supercars races, which usually feature some kind of drama - mostly in the form of oversteer. ‘The circuit looks amazing, with facilities that are unmatched anywhere in the world,’ said Tarek Elgammal, winner of the first Chevy Supercars championship in 2006.

The F1 Grand Prix weekend will be held from Oct 30 to Nov 1.