Qatar entered a late phase during the 2021 season affected by the COVID-19 virus to fill the hole in the calendar left by the cancellation of other events.
The country then signed a 10-year deal with F1 starting in 2023, skipping 2022 to avoid any conflict with the FIFA World Cup.
After the initial F1 event had to deal with the compromises created by the small pit garages designed for MotoGP, as well as temporary hospitality buildings in the paddock, the circuit responded by building a completely new pit and paddock complex, as well as adding tunnels and improving access and parking.
“The World Championship is already finished in 2022,” said Amro Al-Hamad, CEO of the Qatar Motorcycling and Motorcycling Federation and Losail Circuit. “We are the new World Cup in the next 10 years.
“We collected a lot of lessons learned during the World Cup. All the departments, all the authorities in the State of Qatar are eager to really come and help us with whatever they have collected in that period.
“There is a lot when it comes to organizing the entry and exit of fans (and) when it comes to security measures.
“Everyone is now very keen to share their experiences with us to make sure we deliver an event of even greater caliber than the World Cup.”
Overview of the Losail International Circuit
Photo credit: QMMF
As part of the construction works, a new race control facility and media center will be built, as well as larger garages.
“The F1 paddock is in top condition,” Al-Hamad said. “We have left no stone unturned. We have collected many lessons learned from other tracks around the world.
“The pits are now suitable for F1 races, unlike what we had for Moto GP in the past. We have 50 pits. I don’t think anyone else on the F1 calendar has that many pits.
“Changes have also come to team buildings. It’s a complete change from what we had in the past.
“We had one tunnel. Now we have up to four tunnels that are used for the entry and exit of spectators.”
As part of the upgrade work, the circuit was rebuilt, although there were no changes to the layout.
Overview of the Losail International Circuit
Photo credit: QMMF
Although the investment in the Losail upgrade suggests that a permanent location is now favoured, the option of moving the grand prix to the street layout in Doha has not completely disappeared.
“It was one of the many ideas we already had on our agenda,” Al-Hamad said. “It’s just something we’ve explored. Maybe, probably, it will be something in the future.
“I’m not telling you that it will be, but we are just now open to so many ideas. We’re leaving no stone unturned, but it’s not confirmed news or anything like that.”