How Qatar is heralding a new age for motorsport in the Middle East

Marking the series’ first venture into the Middle East – doing so on the same year Formula 1 landed in Bahrain – the Qatar Grand Prix has become a mainstay on the calendar.

In 2008, it made history by becoming the first ever night time grand prix to be held, as that year’s MotoGP campaign opened up under the floodlights. F1 would follow suit months later with the Singapore GP.

In 2021, Losail welcomed F1 for the first time and again from 2023 as part of a new 10-year deal for the series to race in the country. With that, the circuit has secured long-term deals to host motorsport’s pinnacles in F1 and MotoGP, while the World Endurance Championship will also take to the circuit in 2024.

Last year also saw Losail make a major revamp to the facility to modernise it, heralding a new era for Losail.

Motorsport.com Spain’s German Garcia Casanova sat down with Amro Al-Hamad, CEO of the Losail International Circuit, to find out more about what the future holds for the Qatari venue.

It has already been 20 years since Losail International Circuit opened in 2004. What do you think was the maturation of the track?

Amro Al-Hamad: “Since its opening in 2004, Losail International Circuit (LIC), known as ‘the home of motorsports in Qatar’ has, both regionally and globally, built a reputation as one of the Middle East’s finest sporting venues. This is due in no small part to its world-leading facilities, high-speed track, and talented team with an unbridled passion for motor racing.

“The 5.38km circuit has gone on quite the journey over the last two decades. LIC has proudly hosted MotoGP races since 2004, and in the throes of the Qatar Airways Grand Prix of Qatar 2023, we are thrilled to celebrate this remarkable milestone.

“In 2008, LIC held the first night race in MotoGP history and is the only venue in the championship where spectators can experience nighttime racing and watch the riders compete on high-speed turns.

“In 2021, LIC hosted the first Formula 1 Qatar Grand Prix, a resounding success that firmly placed the venue on the sporting world stage. Following this success, the venue signed a 10-year agreement with Formula 1, which marks the beginning of an exciting and transformative decade for motorsports, not just for the country of Qatar, but for the Middle East in its entirety.”

Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images

Start/Finish straight

Losail International Circuit became a benchmark in motorsport when the MotoGP race timings changed in order to accommodate the hot temperatures. Back then, how do you view that decision?

AAH: “LIC became the first venue in MotoGP history to host a night race in 2008, and this was more about creating unique and memorable experiences for fans than accommodating hot temperatures. The Qatar MotoGP is usually held in March, when daytime temperatures are typically around 23-24 degrees centigrade, and we regularly work with our regulatory body partners, such as…