After a few months in which the calendar underwent several modifications due to the evolution of COVID-19 in the different countries involved in Formula 1, Qatar is here to stay and close the programming of a red-hot season.
After presenting a semi-final calendar at the end of last August, Formula 1 has come back to the fore to confirm the Grand Prix to be held in the gap that they themselves announced for the November 19-21: the Qatar GP will be the 20th scoring event of the 2021 season, the penultimate and prior to the Saudi Arabian and Abu Dhabi GPs.
More than a temporary agreement to make up for one of the many casualties that the current season’s calendar has suffered, Qatar plunges fully into the premier category of motorsport with a 10-year contract from 2023. The great Qatari interest in the ‘Great Circus’ has led to a relationship that will begin in the Losail circuit, but said location may change from 2023, as stated in the statement.
The vast number of tests and the advanced stage of vaccination against COVID-19 have contributed to this contract coming to light, waiting to return to relative normality in the coming years. “We are delighted to welcome Qatar to the Formula 1 calendar this year and starting in 2023 long-term. The Federation and the authorities have been incredible and have moved with great speed to ensure that the race could be contested this season at the circuit of Losail, famous for hosting MotoGP races, ”commented Stefano Domenicali.
“We have shown that we can continue to adapt, there is enormous interest in our sport and many locations are waiting to host a GP. The enormous effort on the part of all the teams, F1 and the FIA has made possible the creation of a calendar of 22 races, something that is impressive during a challenging year and of which we can all be proud, ”concluded the F1 president.