DOHA: Qatar’s inaugural Formula One Grand Prix takes place on Sunday, exactly a year before the World Cup opens.
The 2022 FIFA World Cup host nation will become the Gulf’s latest F1 host after taking the place of the Australian Grand Prix, which was postponed and then cancelled over coronavirus restrictions.
The race falls on November 21, exactly a year before the country holds the opening game of the 2022 World Cup.
“We’re trying to maximise the occasion (and) we’re trying to add more to the Formula One event,” said Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation president Abdulrahman Al Mannai.
“Qatar is ready to host the first ever F1 race in front of a capacity crowd. We will have completely full grandstands come race day and this is a testament to the huge appeal of F1. We are excited to see such a record number of fans at a motor sport event in Qatar.”
The race will be the start of a long F1 relationship with Qatar, as it has also signed a 10-year deal starting in 2023.
“We have been hosting motor racing events at LCSC for many years but this weekend’s event will go down in history as the one with the biggest turnout. I am sure the fans will enjoy what should be a spectacular weekend of practice sessions, Saturday’s Official Qualifying session and Race Day on Sunday,” Al Mannai added.
“We can safely say the atmosphere inside the venue will be electric. We can already feel the buzz as the F1 teams prepare for the first free practice session on Friday. There’s a lot of activity right now and the buzz will simply get bigger with each passing hour,” said the QMMF president.
