Manama: Qatar is planning to host a Formula One race in the near future, the president of the Motor and Motorcycling Federation has said.
"We are seeking such an opportunity and we are planning to upgrade the Losail International Circuit track to be able to host a Formula 1 race some time in the future," Nasser Khalifa Al Attiyah said in Manama where he is attending the F1 season inaugural race.
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"We are keen on becoming the third country in the region to host this exciting sport that is now being followed by many fans," he said.
Bahrain and the UAE are now the only two Middle East countries on the Formula 1 calendar. The 5.38km Losail track was built primarily to host top class motorcycle races.
Jean Todt, Federation Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) president, last week reportedly said that the future of Qatar and the Gulf region is very bright when it comes to motor sport.
"We have Bahrain and Abu Dhabi on the Formula One circuit and we are exploring opportunities for greater cooperation between the FIA and the countries in the region," Todt was quoted as saying by Qatari daily Gulf Times.
"This region is very important for us. This part of the world is moving very strongly and the fact that I am here means that we take the Gulf very seriously when it comes to our plans for motor sport," Todt said.
