Qatar eye Formula One race

Qatar motorsport authorities are hoping a planned upgrade of their Losail

International Circuit could help lure Formula One.

The track has previously hosted a round of the World Superbike Championship, and crucially earlier this year staged the first floodlit MotoGP race.

With Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone eager for other venues to follow

Singapore's lead this year and stage night races, Qatar could have an edge in

the future.

Qatar Motor and Motorcycling Federation president Nasser Khaifa al-Attiyah has

confirmed the organisation "are planning a massive upgrade of the circuit" to

host F1 races "when the time comes."

Speaking to the Gulf Times newspaper, al-Attiyah added: "We will be shortly

inviting tenders for the job and once we decide on whom to award the contract,

work will start soon."

A potential problem for Qatar is Bahrain already play host to one event in the

Middle East, with Abu Dhabi joining the calendar next year.

"You cannot say what's going to happen in the future," added al-Attiyah.

"Qatar is developing by leaps and bounds and the future is very exciting.

"Formula One teams can use the track for testing, which will put Qatar on the

map and also help us earn good revenue.

"Apart from the official testing, teams also do a lot of private testing,

which is not open to outsiders and the Losail circuit can play a part in

that."