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Qatar Still Planning to Host MotoGP and F1 Races
Qatar will keep preparing for November races as Formula One weighs a mid-September decision and the World Endurance Championship has already canceled one event.
On Sep 01, QMMF President Abdul Rahman bin Abdullatif Al Mannai said Qatar remains committed to hosting November MotoGP and Formula One races despite regional conflict uncertainty.
The US-Israel conflict with Iran, ongoing since February, has caused near-closure of the Strait of Hormuz, fueling uncertainty about hosting major international sporting events in the region.
Asserting local stability, Mannai said, "Qatar has been safe for months now," noting the airport is 100 percent operational while preparations for November MotoGP continue.
While The World Endurance Championship cancelled its October 24 round in Qatar, Formula One officials will decide by mid-September whether the Qatar Grand Prix proceeds.
Middle Eastern races generate significant revenue through hosting fees worth many tens of millions of dollars; the Formula One season could shift to Europe if Qatar and Abu Dhabi cannot host.
Despite the uncertainties associated with the war in Iran, the president of the Qatari Auto Federation intends to maintain the Grand Prix scheduled for the autumn.