Kimi gives thumbs up to Dubai.

Formula One sensation Kimi Raikkonen yesterday gave an overwhelming thumbs up to the Dubai Autodrome, the Middle East's first fully-integrated motorsports facility, designed by West Surrey Racing, which is set to open in four weeks time.

The 24-year-old McLaren-Mercedes driver, who is widely tipped to dethrone Ferrari's multiple world champion Michael Schumacher and become the youngest champion in the sport's history, set pulses racing as he raced around one of the facility's short circuits in a CLK GTR Mercedes, owned by 13-time Middle East rally champion Mohammed ben Sulayem.

"The shape of the circuit and the corners look and feel very nice. Once it is ready it will be nice to drive here with a Formula One car. I think motor sport lovers are going to have a great time here, even for the more serious driver, because it looks like a high-quality international circuit. Facilities like these are very good for the sport because they help develop interest on a much larger scale, full marks to Dubai for building a circuit like this," added the Finn, who finished just two points behind Michael Schumacher in the 2003 FIA World Drivers Championship.

Commenting on the Union Properties-owned Autodrome, which is equipped with an imposing grandstand, hospitality suites, retail shops, F1 themed restaurants and educations centres for drivers, Ben Sulayem said: "This is great for Dubai. It proves to the world that we are the sporting capital of the Middle East."

The Dubai Autodrome and Business Park is part of the $5.7billion Dubailand development. Clive Bowen of WSR is the project's motorsport consultant and track designer. Using in-house engineering resources, WSR 's design team has been an integral part of the renowned Architects HOK S+V+E and W S Atkins Overseas team commissioned by Union Properties and have managed the FIA and FIM and CIK approval process. Clive Bowen is currently in negotiations for a number of further circuit design projects.