Ecclestone: Qatar in Negotiations to Host a Formula 1 Grand Prix
Bernie Ecclestone, in charge of the commercial side of F1, revealed in the British press that Qatar has applied to host a Formula 1 Grand Prix, which could appear on the calendar as early as 2017.
Bernie Ecclestone, the head of FOM, revealed that Qatar is on the list of candidates to host a Formula 1 Grand Prix in the coming years. The Middle Eastern country is looking to develop the sport on its territory, ahead of the 2022 FIFA World Cup and after hosting the World Handball Championship next year.
The holding of a race in Qatar would bring the number of Grand Prix taking place in the Middle East to three, with Bahrain and Abu Dhabi.
According to sources from The Independent, Qatar could pay up to 50 million pounds per year, which is a little over 63 million euros. With a 10-year contract, this could bring in 630 million euros to F1.
Qatar already has a motorsport circuit in Losail, which notably hosts a nighttime Moto GP race. But Ecclestone does not rule out the possibility of holding a Grand Prix in the city to stand out from its rivals in the Middle East.
« We are studying all the possibilities here. Qatar has not signed but they are ready to do so, » Ecclestone confirmed, as quoted by The Independent. The Briton stated that the details of the negotiations were confidential, but the race could take place as early as 2017.
With already 20 races planned for 2015, the arrival of Azerbaijan in 2016 and potentially Qatar in 2017, the limit of 20 Grand Prix per year would thus be reached. However, this could happen even if the teams have recently reiterated that 20 rounds is a maximum limit, because now, with the new Concorde Agreements, holding more races requires the unanimous consent of Ferrari, McLaren, and Red Bull, and could lead to the automatic implementation of a sixth power unit per car, per season.
