Formula 1 has just officially announced the replacement of the Australian Grand Prix, which was definitively canceled after an initially announced postponement, by the Qatar Grand Prix at the end of the 2021 season. But this is not the only announcement concerning Qatar, as Formula 1 announces that it has reached an agreement for a long-term Grand Prix and not just for 2021.
Qatar will therefore be a permanent fixture on the F1 calendar from 2023 with a contract signed for 10 editions at the Losail circuit.
« We are very grateful that the QMMF (Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation) and the Qatari authorities have supported us in organizing a race this season at the end of November to complete our calendar, explains the statement.
« In view of these discussions and their importance, we have agreed to a long-term partnership with the Formula 1 Grand Prix organization for 10 years after the 2022 World Cup, which will also be held in Qatar.
The 2021 Qatar Grand Prix will be held at the Losail circuit near Doha, the capital, but nothing has been finalized for the circuit beyond 2023. It is possible that the authorities may decide to build a circuit more suitable for Formula 1.
Regarding the location of the circuit from 2023, nothing has been discussed yet and we will come back to it later. confirms the statement.
Stefano Domenicali, President and CEO of F1, is delighted to be able to add a 22nd host to the 2021 calendar to respect the initial schedule: « We are very happy to welcome Qatar to the Formula 1 calendar this season and for a longer-term contract starting in 2023. They have been incredibly responsive in allowing us to host a race at Losail on a circuit that has long been hosting MotoGP races.
We once again demonstrate our ability to adapt and thus we will be able to cover 22 Grand Prix in 2021 in another particularly disrupted year,” details the Italian.
Jean Todt, the President of the FIA also reacted: « I congratulate Formula 1 and the QMMF who have worked tirelessly to allow the organization of this race in 2021 despite these challenging times. We will work closely with the Losail International Circuit to help them prepare for the F1 race. »
Present at the signing of the agreement, Abdulrahman Al-Mannai, President of QMMF, also showed great enthusiasm: It is a very special day for us and our nation with the ambition to host major sports events. Qatar will host Formula 1 and MotoGP in the coming years and this proves our interest in these sports. I am looking forward to welcoming the media, teams, and drivers.
It is worth noting that it is Ooredoo, a telecommunications company, that will be the title sponsor of the Grand Prix in 2021.
