The following year in the Middle East can pass an entirely new formula 1 — this time in Qatar. The Emirate, which is one of the richest countries in the world, jealously monitors the success of neighbours in the Arabian peninsula and is ready to outshine Bahrain and Abu Dhabi luxury urban race. However, Bernie Ecclestone has not yet taken a final decision, in which, as always, will be involved big money and big politics.
Now, Qatar is rapidly gaining a place at the world sports arenas, and not only in Motorsport (for example, in 2022, there will be the FIFA world Cup soccer). Since 2004, i.e. simultaneously with the arrival of F1 to the middle East, here is the stage Moto GP, underwent phases of GP2 Asia, GP Masters, and in 2014 FIA handed out their awards it is in Qatar. In addition, the country has a serious lobby in the person of Vice-FIA President Nasser Khalifa al-Attiyah, who concurrently heads the Qatar Federation of motor racing QMMF.
According to estimates of the organizers, the potential Grand Prix of Qatar should not pass on the highway Losail, where the racing; much more chic city stage will be on the streets Lusail 14 kilometres from the capital Doha. The additional beauty of the idea is the fact that Local just starting to build from scratch for the football world Cup, and therefore, any configuration of the track and infrastructure can be put into it initially.
For secured public case will not, but the Grand Prix of Qatar worth a serious opponent in the person of Organizer Grand Prix of Bahrain Sheikh Salman bin Isa Al-Khalifa. With no formal veto, he nevertheless enjoys huge influence on Ecclestone and firmly believes that the Middle East is not ready to increase the number of stages of F1. Whose petrodollars will be more significant, time will tell. And would you like to go to Qatar for the race in formula 1?