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F1 approves 2021 Qatar GP and ten-year race contract from 2023

By Joshua Benjie

Posted on September 30, 2021

Formula One has approved it will race in Qatar following this year at the Losail Circuit and published a 10-year agreement for a race in the country from 2023.

Moreover, this year Qatar Grand Prix will get a place on Nov. 21 and will be round 20 of 22 in this year’s championship. The Losail Circuit north of Doha has hosted Moto GP races since it began in 2004 but has still to host an F1 race.

F1 is thinking to host the race under floodlights as Moto GP does with its race. In 2021, Qatar will choose a slot that was earlier listed as TBA by F1, following a judgment to cancel the Australian Grand Prix for a second year running due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We are very pleased to welcome Qatar to the Formula One calendar this season and for the longer term from 2023,” F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali said. “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.

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“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. 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.”

Besides, the 5.380km Losail circuit has the necessary FIA Grade One certification to hold a Formula One Grand Prix. FIA president Jean Todt said his organization had been working with Qatar to secure Losail is ready to host this year’s race.

“I congratulate Formula One, the Qatar Motor & Motorcycle Federation, and the Qatari authorities, who have worked tirelessly, to quickly and efficiently make the inaugural Grand Prix in Qatar happen in these challenging times,” Todt said.

“The Losail International Circuit, which will welcome the race, has been working closely with us to ensure they are fully prepared for this momentous occasion. We are very proud of this collective achievement.

“I thank the QMMF President Abdulrahman Al-Mannai and the Minister of Culture and Sport Ghanem al Ali for their involvement. This commitment to F1 for the long-term, as well as the organization of the 2022 FIFA World Cup and many other international events, is another example of Qatar’s strong passion for the sport.”

Furthermore, Lewis Hamilton currently heads Max Verstappen by two points in the drivers’ championship with seven races left to run. Mercedes leads Red Bull by 33 points in the constructors’ championship.