F1 News
Qatar reportedly on 2022 F1 calendar as replacement for Russia
- GPblog.com
It was already rumoured, but according to NOS, the Russian Grand Prix will be replaced by the Qatar Grand Prix in 2022. This will ensure the calendar does have the intented 23 races, which will become an F1 record.
Qatar GP is already back in 2022
Last month, Formula 1 decided to remove the race in Sochi from the calendar following the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Almost immediately, the sports organization began looking for a replacement for the event that was due to take place on 25 September. Two weeks ago it was rumoured that a race at the Losail circuit in Qatar would be the replacement, and this news went along with the reports that a third Grand Prix in America was on the way. So both rumours seem set to become true now that the race in Las Vegas is also confirmed.
Qatar was also listed as a replacement on the F1 calendar last year. The circuit in Doha, which is best known for the MotoGP, signed a contract with Formula 1 for 10 years, but the contract will only take effect from 2023, due to the World Cup taking place in the country in 2022. However, there is now room in the country for the event to fill Russia's spot later in the year. As a result, the triple header is once again intact. Qatar, once it is officially confirmed, will be followed by the Singapore and Japan Grands Prix.
Last year, the race in Qatar was won by Lewis Hamilton. His title rival Max Verstappen was second, while Fernando Alonso secured his first podium on his return to F1 by finishing third for Alpine.