Bahrain is blocking Qatar's plans to join the F1 calendar. F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone said last month that despite negotiating with a keen Qatari group, a race in the oil-rich Arab state is actually unlikely.
That is because he made one of his famous "handshake deals" with Bahrain's crown prince years ago not to install any new races in the Persian Gulf. "I put the people together and said 'Can you sort this out between you?'. They haven't managed to do it," said Ecclestone. Since then, Qatar has stepped up its F1 bid, securing the backing of the Emir, hosting the FIA's recent gala awards and now unveiling images of a proposed new street circuit in Lusail.
Despite agreeing to the spectacular floodlit Abu Dhabi grand prix, however, Bahrain is refusing to budge in similarly allowing Qatar on the calendar. "My personal opinion of having another race - wherever it is - I don't think we are ready for that," Bahrain circuit chief Sheikh Salman bin Isa Al Khalifa is quoted by British newspapers. (GMM)
Bahrain blocks Qatar's plans for F1 race in Lusail
- Published on 13 Jan 2015 09:31
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- By: Rob Veenstra
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A. Antonelli
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G. Russell
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L. Hamilton
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Bahrain International Circuit - Winter testing
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Feb 11
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C. Leclerc
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A. Antonelli
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Bahrain International Circuit - Winter testing
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Formula 1 Calendar - 2026
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Spain
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Bahrain
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Bahrain
Formula 1 Calendar - 2026
Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
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Spain
Circuit de Catalunya
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Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
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Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
6 - Mar 8
Australia
Albert Park
13 - Mar 15
27 - Mar 29
Japan
Circuit Suzuka
10 - Apr 12
Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
17 - Apr 19
Saudi Arabia
Jeddah Street Circuit
1 - May 3
United States of America
Miami International Autodrome
22 - May 24
Canada
Gilles Villeneuve
5 - Jun 7
Monaco
Monte Carlo
12 - Jun 14
Spain
Circuit de Catalunya
26 - Jun 28
Austria
Red Bull Ring
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