Losail to host MotoGP until at least 2031
Losail, Qatar: Qatar’s famed Losail International Circuit will host the MotoGP until at least 2031, it was confirmed on Thursday.
Previously signed up until 2026, a new five-year contract extension was signed by Dorna CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta and Losail Circuit Sports Club Vice President and General Manager Khalid Al Remaihi in the presence of Minister of Culture and Sports of Qatar H E Salah bin Ghanim Al Ali and QMMF President Abdulrahman Al Mannai at a special ceremony in Losail.
Al Remaihi said new facilities will be added to the circuit in the next few years. “Qatar is about to invest a lot in the circuit and add enhancements to the facilities, whether it’s the offices or infrastructure of the circuit. We would like to have their assurance, that based on that investment, that our contract with Dorna is extended further. So we know this investment will be for much longer time,” Al Remaihi said.
“We have exclusive rights to host MotoGP in the region and we want to stay it that way. This extension till 2031 for us is just an opportunity to have MotoGP for a longer period. We appreciate the acceptance from Dorna and we hope to continue the good work with them in the future. For Qatar, MotoGP is not just a business deal. It’s a passion, it’s been liked that since we hosted the event back in 2004,” he added.
HE the Minister of Culture and Sports Salah bin Ghanem bin Nasser Al Ali called the MotoGP ‘one of the most important events in the world of sport’ and was pleased with the extension of contract.
“The MotoGP Championship is one of the most important events in the world of sport. Losail International Circuit is the venue for the season-opener this week. Over 300 million people will watch this race around the world. The MotoGP race weekend in Qatar will be excellent from all aspects. The company owning the rights of MotoGP was keen to continue to host the season-opener in Qatar,” he said.
“The championship will be best from the point of view of safety as Losail International Circuit is one of safest venues around the world. This venue is also one of the most beautiful race tracks in the world,” HE the minister added.
Dorna CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta said Qatar deserves to host MotoGP exclusively in the Middle East for a long time and called the extension as the longest in the sport’s history.
“Qatar has been important part of the MotoGP. It has one of the safest tracks in the world. They are going improve their facilities like drainage system by last year and we are very pleased with that. We are very happy to extend our contract with them till 2031 – which is the longest contract in out history. The way Qatar has been hosting the event they deserve to host the event for a long time,” Ezpeleta said.
The Grand Prix of Qatar debuted on the calendar in 2004 and then became the sport’s first ever night race in 2008. More than a decade later the spectacular in the desert continues going from strength to strength in unique, floodlit style.
