Qatar to develop new F1 street circuit

Qatar’s plans to secure a Formula One race have been boosted with the approval of the development of a new street circuit in the city of Lusail.

Qatar has recently been linked to a 10-year race deal with the motor racing series for which it would pay a reported hosting fee of about US$78 million per season.

Qatar’s Losail International Circuit already hosts rounds on the MotoGP and Superbike World Championship (WSBK) motorcycling calendars and will stage the World Touring Car Championship’s (WTCC) maiden night race next season.

A report on the Autosport website suggests that attention has now switched to developing a street circuit in the city rather than utilising this facility for F1.

Autosport said the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim Ben Hamad Al Thani, has thrown his official support behind the bid to secure a grand prix. The website added that Nasser Khalifa Al Attiyah, Vice-President of world motorsport the FIA and head of Qatar’s motorsport federation, said that the government had asked that everything be done to finalise the race as it will help promote Lusail.

Al Attiyah suggested that the event could happen as early as 2016, but there was a chance it may have to wait until the following season.

Speaking last month, Formula One Chief Executive Bernie Ecclestone said any ambitions from Qatar to join the calendar are likely to be curtailed by the terms of the sport’s existing race contract with Bahrain. Ecclestone revealed that Bahrain effectively has the power of veto over the possibility of Qatar landing a F1 race.

Bahrain held the Middle East’s first F1 race in 2004, with Abu Dhabi joining the calendar in 2009. However, while Ecclestone said the Arabian Gulf could easily support three races a year there are apparent contractual issues preventing more than two happening in the region.

Image shows F1 race action at Abu Dhabi's Yas Island circuit.

27th November 2014 - QATAR LOOKS TO SECURE F1 RACE HOSTING

15th November 2014 - ECCLESTONE SEES ‘NO POINT’ IN F1 TARGETING YOUTH AUDIENCE