The Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation (QMMF) and Formula 1 (F1) recently agreed to an 11-race hosting deal, starting this season with the inaugural Ooredoo Qatar Grand Prix, which will take place on 19-21 November at Losail International Circuit.
The Ooredoo Qatar Grand Prix replaces the cancelled Australian Grand Prix in the calendar and helps F1 achieve its target of a 22-race season. The race is fantastic news for fans, drivers and the teams alike. Qatar has a strong track record as a host of world-class international sporting events – with state-of-the-art sporting facilities, modern infrastructure and expertise in major event management.
Doha’s globally central location will also be of huge benefit to F1 logistically, while also allowing more fans to travel to the race. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Doha has established itself as one of the most trusted and COVID-safe sports hubs for major events.
The QMMF and F1 have worked around the clock to ensure the race this November takes place, despite the unprecedented COVID-related challenges and the turn-around time for a deal of this complexity. For this year’s race, F1 will make use of Qatar’s existing motor racing facilities, which have already hosted many motorsport events, including MotoGP since 2004.
The 11-race deal will take place over 12 seasons, with Ooredoo – the international communications company – also announced as the title sponsor. There will be no race in 2022 as it coincides with Qatar’s hosting of the 2022 FIFA World Cup. The race will return to Qatar, however, in 2023 and for the next ten years until 2032.
The agreement means that motorsport fans from around the world will be able to travel to Qatar and enjoy its world-class sport, hospitality and tourism. Qatar has a proud sporting legacy, having hosted MotoGP and events such as the Asian Games, FIFA Club World Cup, World Men’s Handball Championship, the AFC Asian Cup and various athletics events including the World Championships and the Diamond League.
QMMF President Abdulrahman Al-Mannai said that this is a very special day for Qatar motorsport and for the nation’s ambitions as a host of major sporting events.
I’m very proud that we’ve been able to support Formula 1 by stepping in and hosting a race in our country in such a short time frame, while also securing a ground-breaking long-term deal with F1. We are very grateful to Ooredoo for supporting us with this historic event.
He said that the exciting agreement means that Qatar will be the home of both Formula 1 and MotoGP for the next decade, which are the pinnacle events in global motorsport. He added that Qatar has a proud motorsport history and Qatar will be a great destination for F1, and they look forward to welcoming all the drivers, teams, media and fans very soon.
Formula 1 President and CEO Stefano Domenicali said they are very pleased to welcome Qatar to the Formula 1 calendar this season and for the longer term from 2023. He said that QMMF and the concerned authorities have moved at great speed to ensure the race can take place this season.
Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) President Jean Todt, also congratulated Formula 1, QMMF and the Qatari authorities, who have worked tirelessly, to quickly and efficiently make the inaugural Grand Prix in Qatar happen in these challenging times.
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.
Ooredoo Group Managing Director Aziz Aluthman Fakhroo said that as Title Sponsor, Ooredoo is honoured to have been given the opportunity to support the QMMF in bringing Qatar’s first-ever F1 race.
We have a long history of supporting major sporting events, in line with our CSR strategy, and we are tremendously proud (that) this history will now include the F1 Ooredoo Qatar Grand Prix. We extend our thanks to our partners F1 and the QMMF for their trust in Ooredoo and look forward to an incredible race weekend. I wish all the talented competitors the best of luck.
Details on tickets and hospitality will be announced by F1 and the QMMF in due course.
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