F1 | Qatar to host its first F1 GP in 2021 while signing a 10-year deal from 2023
Qatar’s Losail International Circuit will host this season’s 2oth event on November 19-21 and it is ready to host many more, from the 2023 season
The Qatari circuit is well-known all over the world, as it is keenly associated with two-wheeled racing, as MotoGP runs there since 2004. This year, Losail International Circuit is going bigger and it is going to host its first ever Formula 1 event, as it has been confirmed to be on 2021 calendar for the 20th Grand Prix, which is going to be held on November 19-21.
This event is important to represent the Middle Eastern ending in the sport, as its inclusion is signing up three races in that part of the world to end the season. It indeed will be followed up by another new entry in F1, the first ever Saudi- Arabian GP, which will take place on December 3-5 and the last race of this season, the usual Abu Dhabi event planned on December 10-12.
The main sponsor of the Qatar GP will be the International communications company. What is even more relevant, is that Qatar GP in 2021 is going to be the first but surely not the last in F1. The organizers of the event are indeed signing up a 10-year deal which will begin from 2023.
“There was a strong will from Qatar to be helpful to F1, - an official F1 statement says, - and in the course of this process, the vision for a longer partnership was discussed and agreed for 10 years.”
Ride onboard with @MotoGP ace @PeccoBagnaia for a lap around our newest venture, Losail International Circuit 🇶🇦
— Formula 1 (@F1) September 30, 2021
🎥 x @MotoGP #F1 #QatarGP pic.twitter.com/nUoB2qPbjj
"The step from the gesture to be helpful to F1 in 2021 to a long term strategy was short and simple and the vision for F1 to be the showcase for Qatar after the FIFA World Cup in 2022 was the driving force behind this long term agreement. As part of the longer-term deal, discussions will continue regarding the location for the Grand Prix from 2023 with further details to be provided at a later time.”
Also Stefano Domenicali, Liberty Media CEO, is delighted by the inclusion of Qatar as he praised the efforts made by the Qatar Motor & Motorcycle Federation (QMMF) and the Qatari Authorities to arrange the event.
“We are very pleased to welcome Qatar to the Formula 1 calendar this season and for the longer term from 2023. The Qatar Motor & Motorcycle Federation and Authorities have been incredible and have moved at great speed to ensure the race can take place this season at the Losail Circuit, famous to many as the host of MotoGP,” – he states.
“We have shown that we can continue to adapt and there is huge interest in our sport and the hope from many locations to have a Grand Prix,” - he adds up. –“ The huge effort from all the teams, F1 and the FIA has made it possible to deliver a 22-race calendar, something that is very impressive during a challenging year and something we can all be proud of.”
