Could Dubai Host F1 This Year?
- Ben Morrison
- Aug 20, 2021
- 3 min read
Updated: Jan 27, 2023
*UPDATE: Japanese Grand Prix 2021 will not be replaced, instead the calendar has been shortened. There still remains a TBC race in November.
With the Japanese Grand Prix joining the pile of cancelled races this year due to the pandemic, Formula 1 are lining up some new alternate tracks to race at this season. Some options include the Losail Circuit in Qatar, a return to the Bahrain International Circuit, or another race in the UAE at the Dubai Autodrome.
While we could see a return to the Bahrain International Circuit, most likely on the outer track layout as we saw last year, I think Formula 1 would like to test the waters at a few new tracks while the opportunity is available. As there is only need for a one-off replacement, there would be no long term contract arangements and it would offer a chance for the sport to experience new playgrounds to possibly consider going forwards.
Yas Marina has had a lot of backlash for it's layout, and as such this year is modifying it slightly. However, just 60 miles down the road is a track that was built with the original intention of being the Formula 1 track of the region; Dubai Autodrome was built and opened in 2004 and hosted a number of racing series' such as the FIA GT Championship, European Touring Championship and 24H Series. There was a long term goal of hosting the Formula 1 World Championship at some point, but the 2008 financial crisis struck Dubai and meant that dream was put on hold. Unfortunately for Dubai, the wealthier sister Emirate, Abu Dhabi, was able to snatch up the F1 opportunity in 2009 and has been on the calendar ever since.
However, more recently the Dubai Autodrome track has been gaining it's recognition as it hosted the Asian Le Mans series in 2020, alongside the FIA Asian F3 Championship. The likes of Stoffel Vandoorne and Guanyu Zhuo (to name a few) raced during these series, and the track offered some brilliant racing.
1981 Dubai Grand Prix
In 1981 Dubai hosted a Grand Prix around the streets of what was a young and upcoming country. To celebrate the 10th anniversary of the founding of the United Arab Emirates, the race saw drivers such as Sir Stirling Moss, Sir Jack Brabham & Phil Hill taking part. The "Grand Prix" itself saw backlash as it did not feature Formula 1 Grand Prix racing cars.
The drivers found themselves competing in the Citreon CX, in a 10 lap race organised by British entrepreneur and amateur Porsche racer, Martin Hone. Dubai had no track, marshals, or cars, and so the whole lot was imported to host the first and only "Grand Prix" in the city. Since then however, motorsport has become a more prominent part of the Emirate and the city has a fully equipped Grade 1 circuit ready to host a modern day Formula 1 race.
A full race replay can be found here on YouTube.
Why Dubai Autodrome?
Recently, the Dubai Autodrome social media accounts have been teasing that something is in the works to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the founding of the United Arab Emirates. They posted a short teaser video of the track with what sounds like an F1 engine over the top.
They also posted a second teaser photo of a printout photograph of the 1981 Dubai Grand Prix with the caption "#UAE50". As this year is the 50th Anniversary of the founding of the UAE, alongside Expo 2020 which is being held in Dubai, what better event could be held to celebrate than a Dubai Grand Prix at the Dubai Autodrome?
Throughout this season we've seen a lot of advertisment for Expo 2020 and Dubai, so it's my understanding that Dubai is on good terms with Formula 1, and has a lot of money already going into the sport. It's also been confirmed by sources in the paddock that Dubai Autodrome is among the top choices as a replacement track for this season.
The Future of Racing in the UAE
Yas Marina has hosted the Championship every year since 2009 until present, and extended their contract with the sport back in 2016. With renovations coming into place this year to (hopefully) make the racing more interesting, I don't see the track going anywhere any time soon. However, if Dubai Autodrome is chosen as a one off for the 2021 season, it could be a good opportunity for the sport to see there are other tracks in the area that offer better racing. Perhaps we could see Dubai join the calendar somewhere down the line, either alongside Yas Marina or alternating with it.
We're expected to hear from Formula 1 on the second half of the season and what tracks will fill in the gaps by August 26th*.
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