The pit lane entry of the Losail International Circuit will be changed "dramatically" for Formula 1's inaugural Qatar Grand Prix next month. MotoGP have visited the Losail venue since 2004 whilst very little single-seater racing has taken place at the track. Currently, the pit lane entry is on the right-hand side of the track, almost immediately after the exit of the final corner. F1 Race Director Michael Masi was not able to specify any details but revealed that significant changes will happen when F1 visits Qatar on 19-21 November. "They are changing the pit lane entry completely," Masi told RacingNews365.com and other select members of the press. "What was the pit lane entry for bikes will change dramatically. "That work is nearly completed. I'll head there again, prior to Austin, to have a look, but nearly all the works have been completed. "There's a number of double kerbs that have been installed. The circuit is ostensibly a bike circuit, so apex sausages, so people don't cut corners on the inside, and double kerbs on exits [have been added]. "There's a significant number of barrier upgrades with regards to Tecpro tyres around the entire venue. "[The] pit lane entry's probably the biggest actual track change." This year’s Qatar GP was added to the 2021 F1 calendar in place of the cancelled Australian GP. The event will not take place next year due to the 2022 FIFA World Cup, but a 10-year deal has been agreed starting from 2023. It's the first F1 track which has predominantly been used for bikes, which is why there have been close inspections by the FIA to ensure it's safe for F1. "There are big run-offs and that there, but obviously the big parts have been safety requirements for bikes," said Masi. "When it comes to Tecpro barriers, things like that [are] of a very different ilk in the MotoGP or the FIM world. "It's been [about] trying to adapt in a relatively short period, which is the other part that we need to consider, that we're not talking about a huge period of time. "The main one has probably been the pit entry from that side, but garages, paddock space and things like that were all fine. From a circuit end, I think it'll be a good little venue for this year."
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