F1 News, Reports and Race Results

Qatar, Singapore double-header mulled as Russia replacements

A return to Qatar and a Singapore double-header are reportedly being considered by F1 as potential replacements for the cancelled Russian Grand Prix.

Sochi lost its spot on the sport's 2022 calendar following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, with F1 terminating its contract with the country's race promoter.

To safeguard its 23-race schedule, F1 is now considering two different alternatives to its scrapped Russian event.

Qatar's Losail International Circuit - which signed a long-term deal with F1 and where the sport raced for the first-time last year - does not figure on this year's calendar as the peninsular country is hosting the FIFA World Cup.

But it recently emerged as possible venue to host a race in late September – over a month before the start of Qatar's World Cup - that would initiate a Qatar-Singapore-Japan triple-header.

However, as a second option F1 is also considering running two races on consecutive weekends at Singapore's Marina Bay Street Circuit, with different starting times for the pair of events.

A return to Bahrain's outer loop has also been earmarked as a possible replacement event.

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.

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