F1 cars destroy everything: MotoGP riders reportedly unhappy with Qatar race

For the first time, the Formula One circus will descend on the Losail International Circuit for the Qatar Grand Prix. Some MotoGP riders who have raced at the circuit for many years are dissatisfied. The race in Doha will take place on the evening of November 21 and will be a permanent fixture on the Formula 1 calendar beginning in 2023. MotoGP riders Aleix Espargaro and Franco Morbidelli would have preferred a different outcome and even called it “bad news.” 

“Because of the downforce, Formula One cars can destroy everything,” Espargaro told Speedweek.com.

“I’m happy for the people in Qatar, because in addition to MotoGP they can now enjoy Formula 1 and that’s fantastic,” continued the Spaniard.

“But the tarmac is very even and good now. I just hope they won’t destroy it too much.”

Morbidelli agreed with his colleague’s words.

“The first thing I thought was: there will be more bumps,” the Italian indicates, although he also sees advantages in it.

“It’s nice to see Formula 1 on the same slopes we drive on. It’s impressive. I love Formula 1 immensely, I always follow it. It’s impressive to see how fast they take the same corners with the race cars,” he said.

Since 2004, the MotoGP World Championship has been a regular visitor to Qatar. The premier class of two-wheelers will begin the 2022 season in Qatar, as it has in previous years. The season’s first Grand Prix is tentatively scheduled for March 6, 2022.

2021 F1 SEASON TO GET A GLIMPSE OF QATAR TRACK

The Losail International Circuit in Qatar will be the latest addition to the 2021 FIA Formula One World Championship, taking place between the 19th and 21st of November, with Ooredoo, the international communications company, as title sponsor. Qatar had a strong desire to assist F1, and during this process, the vision for a longer partnership was discussed and agreed upon for a period of ten years. The transition from a gesture to assist F1 in 2021 to a long-term strategy was quick and easy, with the vision of F1 serving as a showcase for Qatar following the FIFA World Cup in 2022 serving as the driving force behind this long-term agreement.

“We are very grateful to The Qatar Motor & Motorcycle Federation (QMMF) and the Qatari Authorities for their enthusiasm and support in hosting a race this season, at short notice. We are also very appreciative of their efforts to ensure the race can take place in November at the Losail International Circuit situated just outside the Qatari capital of Doha,” the FIA said in a statement on Thursday.

“The Formula 1 community will continue to travel this season with stringent safety measures that have allowed us to travel safely this season. Since our restart last season we have conducted over 150,000 tests with 124 positive cases a rate of 0.08% and alongside this a significant proportion of the F1 community has been vaccinated already. We will continue to operate in a way that protects the safety of our personnel and the communities we visit,” the statement added.