According to the MotorSport.com Instagram page, Qatar looks increasingly likely to join the 2021 F1 calendar as a replacement for the cancelled Australian Grand Prix.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Motorsport.com (@motorsportcom)

After the Australian Grand Prix which was to be held in November 2021 was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, F1 has been on the lookout for a replacement country to host the event. Qatar could be the new host, according to Autosport and Planet F1.

It's increasingly likely especially since the Japanese Grand Prix was recently cancelled following in the tracks of Canada, Singapore and Australia where events were cancelled earlier. In addition, races in Mexico, Brazil and the US (Austin) may also get cancelled after a recent surge in COVID-19 cases and hospitalisations.

This leaves the option of Qatar to host the F1 in November open. In fact, according to information on the Autosport website:

"Plans are now advancing for Qatar to fill the gap and host its first F1 Grand Prix in November, according to multiple sources, that would act as a boost to the schedule and hopes to fulfil the planned 23-race season.

"Qatar's possible addition to the calendar could create a run of races in the Middle East towards the end of the year, with Saudi Arabia (5 December) and Abu Dhabi (12 December) scheduled to close out the season."

The Losail International Circuit has an FIA Grade 1 licence which is required to stage F1 events, and has been a mainstay on the MotoGP calendar since 2004, and was the venue for the opening two rounds of the season earlier in 2021. The venue has also hosted World Superbike and World Touring Car Championship rounds, but since 2009, when the GP2 Asia took place at Losail, it hasn't held a "high-profile-single-seater" event. (Autosport)

Sources: MotorSport.com; Autosport, Planet F1
Cover image credit: Losail Circuit Sports Club

Follow us on our social media channels: @ILQlive @ILQlive @ILoveQtr ILoveQatar

Nabeela

Content Writer

Start a discussion