MotoGP riders, FIM and QMMF officials pose for a photograph with young Qatar Motor Academy riders at Losail International Circuit, yesterday.
There’s great news for bike fans - Qatar will continue to open the MotoGP season until 2031 at Losail International Circuit (LIC).
This was announced by Dorna CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta and Khalid Al Remaihi, Vice President and General Manager of Losail Circuit Sports Club (LCSC), at a press conference yesterday.
Minister of Culture and Sports
H E Salah bin Ghanem Al Ali and FIM President Jorge Viegas were also present at the media conference.
Dorna - the sports management, marketing and media company - took over the running of the MotoGP World Championship in 1991.
Al Remaihi yesterday also said LIC - the venue for this week’s VisitQatar Grand Prix - will undergo major upgrade this year with significant enhancements made to the track, drainage systems and lighting quality around the 5.37km circuit.
“We are happy to announce that we have extended our contract until 2031. This is the longest contract we have made in our history. Normally we don’t do normally but the way Qatar stage this event has given us the confidence that this contract extension is worth it,” Ezpeleta said yesterday.
“I am told that in the near future, there will be immense improvements further. They are ready to lay a new tarmac and put effort into a new drainage system. All this big improvements are possible and will make Losail International Circuit better,” he added.
“Yes, we will continue to stage the season’s first race in Qatar,” he said.
Al Remaihi said the new deal is a reflection of Qatar’s love of bike racing.
“For Qatar, MotoGP is not just a business deal. For Qatar, it is a passion that we live,” Al Remaihi said yesterday.
“It’s been like that since the first day when we hosted the MotoGP race in 2004. It is the first day of the new season and we are here to make this announcement. There is a time-tested and strategic partnership with Dorna.
“We appreciate the support extended to us over the years and now. We couldn’t have done what we do every year without their support. The idea is here that we are going to invest heavily into redevelopment and upgrade at the circuit,” he added.
“There will be major enhancements in every aspect of this wonderful circuit. The drainage system, the lighting etc, you name it. Whether it is the enhancement of the offices or the development of the track, we will do it. We wanted to have the assurance that these enhancements at the circuit will be well placed with the support of our friends and partners at Dorna.
“We know this investment will be useful. We don’t have a plan to stop this development. We have exclusive rights to host MotoGP in this region and we would like to continue like that. This extension until 2031 is an opportunity for us take the sport forward. I would like to thank Dorna for this contract extension,” Al Remaihi said.
“Qatar, as you know, is speeding ahead with its preparation for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Three new stadiums will be completed this year and I believe the subway (metro) will be running in 2019. I believe Qatar is ahead of schedule with regards to preparing for the World Cup. Our government is working very hard and doing it very professionally. All sport-related projects are being completed with Qatar’s future in mind,” Al Remaihi said.
Ezpeleta said yesterday: “When we came here for the first time in Middle East in 2004, there were many questions raised as to if we made the right decision to come to the desert. People asked if it would be possible to hold a race here. But Qatar has done its work very well.”
He added: “From the beginning they did well and then picked up pace by hosting the first night race. Initially they got marshals and volunteers from outside but now they manage all these things by themselves. Then we got the night race, the only night race on the calendar so far. For us the biggest thing is the safety of the riders and we know this circuit is one of the safest tracks anywhere in the world.”
