Formula 1 has confirmed that Qatar will replace the cancelled Australian Grand Prix on the 2021 calendar.
As previously reported by RacingNews365.com, Qatar will stage its inaugural Grand Prix at the Losail International Circuit on 21 November. It will be one of the final races of the season, with only the Saudi Arabian GP and Abu Dhabi GP to follow.
A 10-year deal for Qatar to stage a Grand Prix, starting in 2023, has also been agreed. A race will not be held in 2022, when the country hosts the football World Cup.
Qatar's arrival on the F1 calendar comes after a series of cancellations in 2021, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It means the final race total will be 22, just one fewer than originally planned.
Opened in 2004, the 16-turn, 5.380km Losail track has hosted several high-profile events, including mainstay MotoGP, the Superbike World Championship and the World Touring Car Championship.
RacingNews365.com understands that Qatar will hold a twilight F1 race, with a scheduled start of 18:00 local time. This is two hours earlier than the usual night-time start slot for MotoGP.
F1 2021 calendar - Remaining races
| Round | Date | Event | Track |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16 | 10 October | Turkish Grand Prix | Istanbul Park |
| 17 | 24 October | United States Grand Prix | Circuit of the Americas |
| 18 | 7 November | Mexico City Grand Prix | Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, |
| 19 | 14 November | Sao Paulo Grand Prix | Interlagos Circuit |
| 20 | 21 November | Qatar Grand Prix | Losail International Circuit |
| 21 | 5 December | Saudi Arabian Grand Prix | Jeddah Street Circuit |
| 22 | 12 December | Abu Dhabi Grand Prix | Yas Marina Circuit |
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