Formula 1 has confirmed it will hold it first race in Qatar as one of the concluding rounds of its 2021 season.
Losail International Circuit, north of Doha, Qatar, will host the world championship for the first time, as revealed by RaceFans in July.The track has also signed a 10-year deal to hold the world championship, beginning in 2023.
The space for a grand prix on the 21st November had remained open since the Australian Grand Prix was cancelled for a second year running. The sport’s first visit to Qatar take place on November 21st, concluding a run of three consecutive events with Mexico and Brazil.
Losail is a regular feature on the Moto GP world championship calendar. It previously played host to the second round of the short-lived GP Masters series in 2006 and was visited by GP2 Asia in 2009. The World Touring Car Championship also raced at the venue for several years.
Qatar’s new race will not to appear on the 2022 F1 calendar, due to the country’s plans to hold the FIFA football World Cup.
“The Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation and Authorities have been incredible and have moved at great speed to ensure the race can take place this season at the Losail Circuit, famous to many as the host of Moto GP,” said Domenicali.
“We have shown that we can continue to adapt and there is huge interest in our sport and the hope from many locations to have a grand prix. The huge effort from all the teams, F1 and the FIA has made it possible to deliver a 22-race calendar, something that is very impressive during a challenging year and something we can all be proud of.”
Advert | Become a RaceFans supporter and
Updated 2021 F1 calendar
Advert | Become a RaceFans supporter and
2021 F1 season
- Title ‘stolen’ from Mercedes made us ‘underdogs people cheer for’ – Wolff
- Red Bull Racing spent £230m during Verstappen’s title-winning 2021 campaign
- ‘I can’t box?’: Hamilton and Verstappen’s 2021 Abu Dhabi GP radio transcript
- Abu Dhabi’s legacy one year on: How the controversial 2021 finale changed F1
- The case for changing F1’s penalty points system as Gasly nears ban
SjaakFoo (@sjaakfoo)
30th September 2021, 10:07
#WeRaceAsOne
Just don’t ask us about human rights when we’re not doing empty messaging, video messages, and “gestures”
ttongsul (@ccpbioweapon)
30th September 2021, 12:39
More blind hypocrisy, F1 races in china with state sponsored organ harvesting, genocides(minority non han races regularly get sterilized ) and “re-education camps” for ethnic Muslim Uyghurs…
Sorry but it makes no sense to cherry pick outrage targeting gulf states and the middle east yet remain silent about other countries.
Main reason why i hate these airport runway sized runoff races because there is ZERO punishment for making mistakes masking untalented Stroll type drivers lack of ability.
It made no sense to cancel the Japanese GP. Tokyo hosted the Olympics with 1000s of athletes and coaches from around the world traveling there a few months ago
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
1st October 2021, 9:44
@ccpbioweapon
That may be the case, but remember that wasn’t F1’s decision, it was the government’s.
SjaakFoo (@sjaakfoo)
1st October 2021, 11:17
@ccpbioweapon Who’s cherry picking? Pointing out the constant hypocrisy in racing in countries with blatant disregard for what is broadly considered basic human rights while running a campaign advocating for those exact basic human rights has nothing to do with cherry picking.
Liberty inking a deal to race in Qatar today doesn’t say anything about the other races on the calendar. It’s saying something about them, and pointing that out isn’t wrong and it certainly can’t be justified with whataboutisms about other regimes and other countries.
Liberty can’t have their cake and eat it too, simultaneously running their #WeRaceAsOne campaign every race and then signing deals with these regimes. They deserve to be called out for it.
Saying people stayed silent for other races is of course nonsense. There were protests by drivers in Hungary, for Pete’s sake. It’s hardly targeted at just the Middle East. But even if it was, it’s deserved there as much as it is anywhere.
floodo1
30th September 2021, 14:14
“Money talks “ — Lewis Hamilton 2021
Bonbonjai
30th September 2021, 19:52
True, So what’s your point? Or have you only just realised that. Actually you just realised that because he had the guts to say what we all know to be true.
Red Pill (@redpill)
30th September 2021, 22:21
@sjaakfoo I agree
I guess saying one thing for PR and believing in what you say are two very different and distinct things for the American company Liberty Media. Liberty is loudly proving money trumps human rights and really does not stand behind what they say. They just proved the moto #WeRaceAsOne means nothing to them.
Essentially #WeRaceAsOne and what it stands for is totally illegal in Qatar and enforced with long prison sentences. Which Liberty doesn’t oppose to. Action speaks louder than words.
Jesper (@jesperfey13)
30th September 2021, 10:07
Wow. Now we have 4 races in the middle-east. From 2023 Kuwait aswell or where is this going?
Gavin Campbell
30th September 2021, 14:52
Actually there’s a half decent track in Kuwait……
Broccoliface
30th September 2021, 16:58
Dubai has a track. In fact I thought it was that one when I heard this news.
Bonbonjai
30th September 2021, 19:56
Sadly, F1 has always gone where the money is. Prefably, where it’s residents don’t have the right to ask questions about how their taxes, if they pay any, is used.
Armchair Expert (@armchairexpert)
30th September 2021, 10:08
Another one on #WeRaceasOne list! I’m sure very brave Sebastian Vettel will speak out on LGBT rights in Qatar, with the same courage he’s done it in the dictatorship terrorist state of Hungary, right???
Proesterchen (@proesterchen)
30th September 2021, 10:13
Getting defensive about Hungary and its way of treating its citizens as well as those visiting shows that at least you’re aware that discrimination is wrong.
Now if you could use that knowledge and direct your energy towards righting the wrong, rather than criticising people for pointing it out, we’d be a step closer to you not needing to be defensive about Hungary in the first place.
Balue (@balue)
30th September 2021, 19:53
Such a banal comment. “Defensive about Hungary and its way of treating its citizens” lol. Even as straw man argumentation goes, this is low.
Proesterchen (@proesterchen)
1st October 2021, 9:22
“Banal”? “Straw man”? “Low”?
You couldn’t even muster any substantive critique of me calling out the OP for being awfully sensitive about Seb wearing a T-Shirt in support of basic human rights, two months ago.
Which I suppose is still better than actually coming down on the side of politicians trying to deny their people said human rights.
DeanR
30th September 2021, 22:05
What do YOU know about Hungary and its citizens? Please tell me because I’m betting its not first hand knowledge?
Proesterchen (@proesterchen)
1st October 2021, 9:11
Feel free to limit yourself to only commenting on human rights abuses in your local jurisdiction if you feel that’s your personal preference.
Phil Norman (@phil-f1-21)
1st October 2021, 12:24
+ 1
TurboBT
30th September 2021, 10:17
wow, terrorist state? Really? Everyone fights for whatever reason whenever and whereever they want, armchair experts fight only with keyboard words.
Hungary is a “democratic” state so Vettel found it appropriate to raise his voice there.
José Silva
30th September 2021, 10:41
Vettel is a citizen of a European Union member-state, just like Hungary is a EU member-state.
Balue (@balue)
30th September 2021, 15:58
He will if it becomes a hot topic to score points with on social media @armchairexpert
Bonbonjai
30th September 2021, 19:59
Lewis most definitely, Vettel is much more principled in my opinion.
Proesterchen (@proesterchen)
30th September 2021, 10:08
I hope they agreed to tear the whole thing up and build a proper track for Formula 1 races.
Srdjan Mandic (@srga91)
30th September 2021, 12:19
@proesterchen
And ruin one of the best MotoGP tracks?! No, thank you!
I’ve been following the MotoGP races there for the last 10+ years and can’t think of a single boring race (including the lower categories). This year in particular was a brilliant race.
Is it suitable for current F1 cars? Probably not. But the motorcycle races show that it’s not down to the track, but rather to current F1 aerodynamics. Hopefully this will change with the new aero regs.
Proesterchen (@proesterchen)
30th September 2021, 12:32
I have zero investment in doing anything to this existing track unless the organizers plan to use it for a decade-long run of F1 bore fests.
At which point I become rather adamant that it gets razed to the ground and replaced with something suitable to hosting F1. That is after all what these people are paying for.
Srdjan Mandic (@srga91)
30th September 2021, 12:42
I see your point. Having both, F1 and MotoGP, at the same circuit will be a nightmare for one category. We will either see 10 years of boring F1 races (although I still have a little bit of hope for the new generation of cars from next year onwards), or changes made to the circuit, which will totally ruin the flow of the original track and make for horrible motorcycle races.
The track owners haven’t thought this through at all!
Proesterchen (@proesterchen)
30th September 2021, 13:07
Agreed. I guess our best hope is that the Qataris will take the up to 2 years between their first race at Losail and the start of their long-term deal to build a proper F1 track. I just wish such intention had been made clear in this announcement.
Sensord4notbeingafanboi (@peartree)
30th September 2021, 12:54
What are you talking about? F1 never raced here. Losail is going to feel like a longer mugello though without camber or elevation. F1 does not often race on what could be described as proper tracks.
Most F1 tracks are long, fast and wide with short and shallow corners. There are not many sections in the calendar similar to for example Hungary’s last 2 corners.
Proesterchen (@proesterchen)
30th September 2021, 13:09
I appreciate your optimism and hope you won’t feel too badly let down by the first race in November.
CD (@clipperdael)
30th September 2021, 10:09
Ah, Qatar. Or as it is also known, soulless desert track #4.
John H (@john-h)
30th September 2021, 18:08
Follow the oil
Bonbonjai
30th September 2021, 20:01
More like follow the money, me thinks.
Jimmi Cynic (@jimmi-cynic)
1st October 2021, 4:55
Follow the Oil Money
Kribana (@krichelle)
30th September 2021, 10:15
Expect this to be like Zandvoort and Hungary. I hope next year’s cars are better for overtaking because we now have a lot of circuits where cars have problem following each other.
regs (@regs)
30th September 2021, 12:19
Looks small, but actually much longer. It’s 5.4 km long. Yet it doesn’t make it less boring.. It was built for moto bikes. So too wide and looks more like parking track.
They should go with Mugello instead. But looks like Domenicali has something personal against it.
Red Pill (@redpill)
30th September 2021, 22:30
@krichelle I agree with you and essentially wrote the exact same thing in the last article.
This track is good for MotoGP but not for F1. The best racing will be on Saturday
Jere (@jerejj)
30th September 2021, 10:24
Some changes can still happen, depending on certain circumstances.
For example, I’m skeptical about US GP because of Austin’s ICU situation, as hospital availability is critical for any Motorsport event. I’m also skeptical about going to Red-Listed countries, especially Brazil.
I can even foresee something like a mass infection within F1 folk, forcing a team or teams to a force majeure withdrawal, which would also affect Qatar unless postponed by seven days in this scenario. Long story short, I feel not everything or every possibility has been thought through, which could backfire. Turkey isn’t on UK’s Red List anymore, but cancelling Mexico and Brazil would’ve been for everyone’s benefit as their COVID situations are strong enough reasons for cancellation.
Stubbornness, I guess. Alternatively, both on their previous days with Qatar on 28.11, i.e., three weeks after Brazil to give more lead time for possible quarantines.
Jere (@jerejj)
30th September 2021, 10:31
And lack of foresight.
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
30th September 2021, 10:27
From what I’ve seen of races at this track I can’t say I’m enthusiastic. It looks flat, featureless, unchallenging and I can foresee the arguments over track limits already. Looking like a punishing triple-header too. Hope I’m wrong about all that…
Gabriel (@gabf1)
30th September 2021, 10:30
Agree @keithcollantine. After the long straight close racing opportunities look limited, let alone overtaking. And if cars not close enough coming off last corner, then only DRS can rescue it.
It’s like Barcelona in the dark. Sigh,
Jere (@jerejj)
30th September 2021, 10:31
@gabf1 And even the S/F straight is short.
Jere (@jerejj)
30th September 2021, 10:38
@gabf1 I take my words back after measuring the straight at roughly 1 km on Google Maps.
The above image misled me.
pls
30th September 2021, 13:21
they never try anything different with drs. they could allow drs in the very short straight sections leading up to the main straight. this would allow the chasing car to follow a little more closely leading on to the main straight
Esploratore (@esploratore1)
30th September 2021, 10:46
If there’s a long straight it could be a mercedes track.
jff
30th September 2021, 12:18
Thanks @esploratore1,
That is actually the part I’m now most interested in* given the current battle between Mercedes and RBR.
Although I’m not sure if a long straight is enough to make it a Mercedes track.
* not denying the human rights issues in Qatar, and strongly supporting anybody who speaks out against these (as I do). But I would be a hypocrite calling for a boycott as I still fly Qatar Airways.
SjaakFoo (@sjaakfoo)
30th September 2021, 12:05
The good thing about this season’s close WDC battle at least is that every track we go to has at least that part of the weekend to look forward to. So that’s the saving grace for even these kind of boring tracks, but I can only agree with your assessment so far.
Ultimately, we can only hope that next year will resolve the issues of overtaking in dirty air and that should resolve a lot of the issues “boring tracks” produce.
StefMeister (@stefmeister)
30th September 2021, 12:18
@keithcollantine I agree. I’ve seen GP Masters, GP2 Asia & some GT/Touring car races at the track & aside from the awful officiating at the GP Masters event (Which saw most of the race run under the SC) I can’t remember a single thing about any of them.
It’s an awful circuit that has no character, No interesting feature, No corner or other section that offers any interesting challenge to the drivers & I think it’s overall a really uninspired venue.
For those less familiar with the track here is an OnBoard of one of Derek Warwick’s qualifying laps from GP Masters.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4IxDzyeRCYU
tielemst
30th September 2021, 13:03
Lol, this video looks like a racing game from the nineties when computers couldn’t handle a lot of detail. No stands, no trees, no nothing.
Srdjan Mandic (@srga91)
30th September 2021, 12:33
@keithcollantine
I guess you mean car races there, because the motorcycle races were almost always brilliant.
Given the fact it was built as a motorcycle track, it’s hardly surprising it doesn’t suit cars. There is just one big braking zone (T1) and also just one long straight. Not really ideal for cars.
But I wouldn’t call it ‘featureless’ and ‘unchallenging’. The superfast triple-righthander of T12-14 is definitely challenging.
As someone who has been following the MotoGP races for the last 10 years, I have a little bit of a soft spot for Losail, because it produced some thrilling races in the past. But I too have little hope for an exciting F1 race, at least not this season.
Sensord4notbeingafanboi (@peartree)
30th September 2021, 13:11
@keithcollantine There is nowhere to exploit track limits. Motogp’s switch to a night race helped with the featureless part. It is going to be hard to follow largely because this track is a “normal” track with “normal” corners, very rare sight on the f1 calendar, arguably for a good reason. This it is not a strip of tarmac with fast kinks and hairpins for overtaking. Traditional tracks have corners that go over 90°, even most of f1’s classics are the long stringy type.
@srga91 in fact, the track was made for f1.
Srdjan Mandic (@srga91)
30th September 2021, 14:14
@peartree
Do you have a source for that? Given how perfectly it fits the bikes, it’s hard to imagine it wasn’t originally built as a motorcycle track.
It’s even stranger when you compare it to Sakhir in Bahrain. You can clearly see that Sakhir was built for car racing and not motorcycle racing, because of its long straights and heavy braking zones.
Losail, on the other hand, has lots of medium speed corners that allow multiple overtaking maneuvers (overtake in one corner, re-overtake in the next corner), at least it does for the bikes. That’s not very common in car racing.
Sensord4notbeingafanboi (@peartree)
30th September 2021, 23:58
@srga91 I thought I had read somethimg about it, regardless it just sounds like the type of thing you say when you fail to get an f1 contract, like brno, or I am very much mistaken.
Shanghai, sepang, suzuka, silverstone, catalunya, jerez, donington etc all have hosted both f1 and motogp.
Frankly the layout is similar to most national level tracks.
GeeMac (@geemac)
30th September 2021, 10:29
I know the reaction to this news is going to be overwhelmingly negative, but as someone who now lives in the GCC region having 4 races on my doorstep is incredibly exciting.
Tifoso1989 (@tifoso1989)
30th September 2021, 11:20
@geemac
The thing is while we all agree that the GCC region is not the best place in the world when it comes to human rights. I think you must be aware that Qatar in particular is an evil state by all means that have no business but to destabilize the whole MENA region with their petrodollar money.
This is a huge disappointment to give the right to host a F1 race for Qatar who triggered the Gulf conflict with the UAE and Saudi Arabia, financed terrorist groups (Daech in primis) to do their homework in both Syria and Libya. Received and financed the Talibans and described their coup as a peaceful political transition of power…
This is a huge disappointment but if F1 wants to do business with the Mafia, they are free to do so. They have just to save us the #WeRaceAsOne and diversity crap.
BasCB (@bascb)
30th September 2021, 12:27
@tifoso1989 – read the newspapers / follow the news reported on differing outlets and the view on who triggered/payed for what will vary greatly.
Now, to me there is not that much between SA, Quatar, Bahrain, UAE when talking about questionable human rights policies etc, although I would probably hand it to SA for the war in Jemen that is probably of a different level as all of these counties participation to various levels in their own proxy wars. So yeah, there is quite a bit of reason to critisize F1 for having a 5th of the season in the middle east.
Sadly the track itself offers another reason not to happy about this choice – just when Abu Dhabi finally gets at least some work done to make the racing less boring, we get another piece of tarmac in the desert with lines drawn on it.
But I fully get why the event is on, and yeah, I do not at all begrudge you for having ample choice of where to go for your live F1 kick either @geemac, I figure that IF they can manage to get flying in tourists going again, F1 is as decent of a draw as football, sailing, skying etc. And if you live there, what is not to like about this (living in Europe with at least 6 race tracks easily within a day driving range, who am I to complain about that!)
Tifoso1989 (@tifoso1989)
30th September 2021, 13:59
The role of Qatar and Turkey in the region, who are supporting “democratic Islamist” and Salafi extremist groups is crystal clear with this regard. What you have to say about that ? Hope you’re not getting your news feed from Al Jazeera though.
GeeMac (@geemac)
30th September 2021, 14:20
@tifoso1989 @bascb The issue of human rights records is a difficult one no doubt, but point me to a country with a clean record in that respect. The USA? Nope. The UK? Nope. Hungary? Nope. Many others who are already on the F1 calendar and have been for decades? Nope.
Tifoso1989 (@tifoso1989)
30th September 2021, 16:39
@geemac
Completely agree with you. It’s quite hard to find countries willing to host F1 GPs with a clean human rights record. Though F1 don’t have to go to the worst of what humanity can offer.
BasCB (@bascb)
1st October 2021, 7:11
I might take that comment at face value @tifoso1989, but the part about Salafi extremist groups makes it pretty absurd there – why you will probably ask? Well, because it is Saudi Arabia who presses for and pays Salafi extremsism and has been doing so for well over 3 decades now. And precicely that Quatar seems to support more radical islamism with more tolerance for Shiite (like Iran, part of the Iraqis, or the oppressed majority of the Bahraini population) and with support for the Muslim Brotherhood is why SA and its allies are in disagreement.
Off course, as @geemac rightly points out, there is probably no country on earth we could not point to questionable things they have been doing both recently as well in the recent past and even more so the further we go back. After all, part of why the Middle east is a mess harks back to colonialist times as well as post WW1 times when we in the west decided on how to split the loot.
But still, I think it is right to criticise Quatar (yes, many others as well, but we are talking about Quatar in this article) and F1 about the situation there, but especially I would love to see a focus on moving things into a better future (since we can not change our past and it is hardly viable to immediately change the current sitiation). And while it would be nice to see Hamilton or Vettel visit an Emir and talk about things (like Lewis did in another country in the region last year), I don’t think it should be left up to the drivers to do so.
Tifoso1989 (@tifoso1989)
1st October 2021, 17:13
@bascb
I’m against having a race in Saudi Arabia as well. I have expressed myself about this subject many times. Saudi Arabia has been funding terrorist groups as well. I think you have misinterpreted my comments as I’m supportive of the F1 race being held in Saudi Arabia and not Qatar. I’m against F1 races being held in those countries for reasons I have already mentioned.
Emma
30th September 2021, 15:22
How did Qatar trigger that conflict with the UAE and Saudi Arabia? And while the Taliban are pretty evil, the alternative would be perpetual occupation of that country by the US and allies – is that what you really wanted to see?
Gubstar
30th September 2021, 10:35
faceplam.exe…… I will wait to see what happens but I cant see the layout being favourable for the cars or the tv audience. Its very much a point-and-go circuit
Wonder if it will be at night like the motogp.
4 races in the middle east, but nothing in South Africa, Argentina, France, India, New Zealand. Shame really, all it does is highlight the financial situation the sport is in. How long will it be before all the teams on the grid are fully owned by countries in the middle east?!
Schummel Schumi (@schummelschumi)
30th September 2021, 12:02
And no race in Germany either :(
ian dearing
30th September 2021, 12:27
I think there is a good chance that when Liberty comes to sell Saudi Arabia will be a the top of the list with the biggest cheque book.
Mark
30th September 2021, 10:44
I don’t understand the outrage, the pre-race gestures are a typical empty corporate marketing ploy that is now hard to pull off and vain to find reason in. Anyway, it is better to watch such a race in Qatar, where new opportunities open up, than at Imola, which is supposed to return to the calendar.
Stephen Higgins
30th September 2021, 10:57
As a one-off calendar replacement, fine.
As a permanent fixture …. ?? No.
For the sake of variety maybe they could make it a daytime race.
It don’t see this going down well with MotoGp.
Nitzo (@webtel)
30th September 2021, 11:05
Is it just me or does the Losail Circuit looks eerily similar to the one at Sakhir ?? or like an enlarged version of Algarve ? There is no back straight at Losail but a sequence of fast corners..that is interesting on paper but the run off area may well remind us of Paul Ricard.
Beyond all this speculation, i think its worth a visit this year. What scares me is the long term ten year deal to be on the F1 calendar from 2023 !!
Trido (@)
30th September 2021, 11:29
No one is forcing you to watch.
DB-C90 (@dbradock)
30th September 2021, 11:34
I’m actually surprised that the original hosts from the Middle East haven’t tried to block yet another middle eastern venue.
To me the region is way over represented but the I guess that’s of absolutely no consequence.
I’m looking forward to the announcement of races to be held in Belarus, North Korea and Afghanistan – they surely have a need to pay a premium to hold races and build tracks so they can gain legitimacy in the sporting world.
I find it sad that as yet there still seems to be no real chance of a race in South Africa but any oil rich country just seems to be able to buy a race at the drop of a hat.
BasCB (@bascb)
30th September 2021, 12:29
I’d say by now they all want to build that “middle east as travel hub/tourist destination” thing @dbradock. So if there is more to visit in the region, maybe they hope to lure in more lucrative tourists to see it as a viable region to visit en masse. And it would also help all their respective air carriers.
David (@djarvis)
30th September 2021, 12:47
I think they may have blocked Kuwait from possibly hosting a grand prix on political grounds but I may be incorrect
Bonbonjai
30th September 2021, 20:20
From what I see so far this throwing money at F1 has precious little to do with the tourist hub rubbish. This looks to me like F1 been used to wash your dirty political linen.
BasCB (@bascb)
1st October 2021, 7:19
Isn’t washing up and making it look like a nice, warm, friendly and happy place the start of making it appetizing for visitors Bonbanjai?
Sensord4notbeingafanboi (@peartree)
30th September 2021, 23:59
@dbradock wasn’t Miami just announced?
Nerrticus (@nerrticus)
30th September 2021, 12:16
Why did they choose to create a Mexico/Brazil/Qatar triple header when if you had the race a week later it would be a Qatar/Saudi/Abu Dhabi triple header to close out the season?
Weird (but not surprised) that they would willingly put the paddock in such a logistical nightmare.
Proesterchen (@proesterchen)
30th September 2021, 12:38
Because Brazil is a UK red list country and the teams cannot return to home base without incurring a mandatory stint in “managed quarantine”.
Nerrticus (@nerrticus)
30th September 2021, 23:40
Oh, I see now. That makes sense though it’ll be rough on the teams.
I’m US-based so that wasn’t on my radar. Thanks for the info!
Red Andy (@red-andy)
30th September 2021, 12:19
I would really love to know how Liberty and the FIA reconcile their commitment to global justice and human rights with a preponderance of races in head-chopping Middle Eastern dictatorships.
If only we knew an accredited F1 journalist with access to these people on a virtually weekly basis, who could ask them.
Anyone?
Balue (@balue)
30th September 2021, 19:58
Off-limits. Better to drink the kool-aid and wave the flag.
Bonbonjai
30th September 2021, 20:26
When has F1 ever felt the need to explain to the masses why it goes to these places. Did it explain going to South Africa during apartheid? It should and is obvious why they do MONEY 💰. Better yet, in most of these countries, open enquiries about how public money is used is not exactly welcome is it.
Red Pill (@redpill)
30th September 2021, 22:50
@Bonbonjai
But the irony is how Liberty has been heavily advertising #WeRaceAsOne at every single race, it is the biggest campaign promotion outside of racing that F1 has ever taken, they promote it on their website, promote it on television and heavily at the races but then sign long term contracts and shake the hands of people who will arrest anyone that #WeRaceAsOne is trying to defend, standby and promote. it’s more than disingenuous, its very harmful and shows a lack of any integrity.
I know money talks the loudest, F1 is big business and understand that but at least have some integrity in what they do. Essentially they are manipulating and exploiting the movement for their own gain when it suits them (in EU) and then totally disregards it when it benefits their pocket. Their action speaks louder than their words. Or did I get that wrong?
Phil Norman (@phil-f1-21)
1st October 2021, 12:32
Absolutely @redpill. Couldn’t have put it better myself.
jlb
30th September 2021, 12:29
One track that is interesting in motorcycling (not for me, maybe for NASCAR-ish type of fans) thanks to the slipstream that allows that gigantic straight. I cannot imagine how disastrous will be this for a F1 race.
Francesco (@frankiem)
30th September 2021, 12:34
Horrible news IMO. A fantastic MotoGP track that isn’t suitable for F1 cars at all. What’s even worse is the fact that we get another middle eastern track with no racing history whatsoever on a long term deal.
Phil Norman (@phil-f1-21)
1st October 2021, 12:31
+ 1
Steve K
30th September 2021, 13:49
They needed another race in a pinch? Roger Penske must be impossible to reach these days.
Yes (@come-on-kubica)
30th September 2021, 13:52
Could we get more depressing and boring end to the season. Any championship will be killed by two middle east borefests.
Eligio J Rosa (@idmjungle)
30th September 2021, 14:11
It kinda looks like Las Vegas, which is not good.
Also, remember when F1 wanted to have like 5 races in America? I miss those days.
Dane
30th September 2021, 14:33
Four races in the Middle East and nothing in Asia, Australia, or Africa.
Emma
30th September 2021, 15:25
I presume you’ve been living under a rock and so you don’t know why there’s been no race in Asia or Australia this year. Africa is the only region on your list worth complaining about.
Leroy (@g-funk)
30th September 2021, 15:57
Add another round to the list of races I won’t be watching. Disappointing. Really disappointing.
Yaru (@yaru)
30th September 2021, 16:26
Personally happy to hear this. I will look forward to racing the race. Hopefully it would be a great one.
Yaru (@yaru)
30th September 2021, 16:27
lol *watching
Broccoliface
30th September 2021, 17:01
Reminds me of the Bahrain endurance layout lol.
Dane
30th September 2021, 17:01
I guess Syria and Afghanistan were busy that weekend?
Bonbonjai
30th September 2021, 20:30
Good one. Imagine the Taliban sitting across the table with liberty’s head hunchos. I’d pay good money to be fly on that wall.
Phil Norman (@phil-f1-21)
1st October 2021, 12:30
+ 1. The Sultan of Brunei is interested though.
Balue (@balue)
30th September 2021, 20:05
I’ll reserve judgement on the track until we’ve seen it in action.
As for races in dictatorships or countries with poor human right records I would of course rather do without, but don’t really care all that much either as I’m too used to big money having its way in the world, and as much as it’s ‘regime-washing’, it’s sowing a seed of change too. I do get provoked about the massive hypocrisy this reveals though.
@tonezone (@tone)
1st October 2021, 2:04
Do we take a knee in our living rooms?
hahostolze (@hahostolze)
1st October 2021, 6:55
All I can think of when hearing this news is that Hamilton will surely have to take an engine penalty somewhere now
Phil Norman (@phil-f1-21)
1st October 2021, 12:29
Here’s an idea. How about having all F1 races held in the Middle East. So we could have Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Abu Dhabi on a revolving circuit.
Why don’t Liberty sell the whole thing to one of the Arabic royal families and just be done with it! We wouldn’t need to bother watching then.
Jeorge (@jeorge)
1st October 2021, 21:16
Real Triple-header, three heads for the price of one
AJ
1st October 2021, 15:49
F1 would do a deal with Nazi Germany if they paid.
DIEGO OLIVEIRA
3rd October 2021, 13:05
Brazil and then Qatar in the following week? That’s rough!!!
Lamalas (@lamalas)
4th October 2021, 10:15
Reminds me of this song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YKp2SuK1fvc