Categories: 2016 SeasonF1 News, Reports and Race Results

Deal close for Qatar Grand Prix

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A deal is close to being completed that will see a Qatar Grand Prix within the next two years, according to the FIA's Vice President.

Talks have been ongoing about a race in Qatar, with Bernie Ecclestone warning that Bahrain has the power to veto other races in the Middle East. While Abu Dhabi received approval by aiming for a different market with its dusk race at the Yas Marina Circuit, the Bahrain race organisers were not keen on a third race in the region.

However, Nasser bin Khalifa al-Attiyah - the FIA Vice President who is also head of motorsport in Qatar - claims agreements are in place to host the race either at the Losail International Circuit used for MotoGP or on a circuit around the streets of the capital Doha.

"We are about to sign contracts to organise a Formula One race," he told AFP. "We have completed all the steps and there are only a few details before the official signature."

With the Mexican Grand Prix being added to this year's 20-race calendar and Azerbaijan confirmed for 2016, the inclusion of Qatar could see up to 22 races scheduled next year. Of this year's races, the Malaysian Grand Prix is currently in the last year of its contract.

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Andrew Lewin

Andrew first became a fan of Formula 1 during the time when Michael Schumacher and Damon Hill were stepping into the limelight after the era of Alain Prost, Nigel Mansell and Aryton Senna. He's been addicted ever since, and has been writing about the sport now for nearly a quarter of a century for a number of online news sites. He's also written professionally about GP2 (now Formula 2), GP3, IndyCar, World Rally Championship, MotoGP and NASCAR. In his other professional life, Andrew is a freelance writer, social media consultant, web developer/programmer, and digital specialist in the fields of accessibility, usability, IA, online communities and public sector procurement. He worked for many years in magazine production at Bauer Media, and for over a decade he was part of the digital media team at the UK government's communications department. Born and raised in Essex, Andrew currently lives and works in south-west London.