Formula 1 has announced that Qatar Airways will become the sport’s new global airline partner, replacing Emirates, in a multi-year partnership announced this week.
The deal was announced this week during a fan festival in Doha. Although the official announcement referred to a ‘multi-year partnership,’ it’s thought to be a five-year deal through to the end of the 2027 F1 season. Qatar Airways replaces fellow middle-eastern airline Emirates, which was Formula 1’s global airline partner for the past eight years. Negotiations to extend Emirates’ sponsorship reportedly ended late last year when the airline refused a new deal that would have seen the annual fee doubled.
Qatar Airways has also been confirmed as the title sponsor of three races in 2023; the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix (May 19-21), the Hungarian Grand Prix (July 21-23) and the Qatar Grand Prix (October 6-8). The agreement ‘also includes trackside and digital branding inventory that will be showcased to F1’s global audience.’
Via its destination management brand, Discover Qatar, the airline will also be offering travel packages (return flights and race tickets) at selected races this year. Hotel and ticket packages for the second edition of the Qatar Grand Prix on October 6-8, 2023 are also being launched, featuring a choice of grandstand or Paddock Club Tickets and a complementary pass to the Geneva International Motor Show Qatar, which takes place in Doha from October 5-14.
About Qatar Airways
Established in 1993, Qatar Airways is one of the world’s largest and fastest growing airlines. It operates more than 150 routes to all continents (except Antarctica) from its global hub at Hamad International Airport in Doha and boasts one the world’s youngest fleets of planes.
The airline was recently voted as the world’s best in the 2022 Skytrax World Airline Awards, beating out Singapore Airlines and Emirates. It was a record seventh time that Qatar Airways has taken top honors. Hamad International Airport was also awarded as the world’s best in 2022 by Skytrax. Qatar Airways was the only major airline to fly continuously during the recent COVID-19 pandemic.
2023 Qatar Grand Prix
The second edition of the Qatar Grand Prix is scheduled for October 6-8. Formula 1 visited Lusail Circuit for the inaugural Qatar Grand Prix in 2021, during the COVID-19 pandemic. The race was not held last year as Qatar focused on staging the FIFA World Cup. A ten-year contract was signed that will see Qatar remain part of the Formula 1 calendar until 2032, though the race may move in the future to a new venue. A new pits and paddock building is being constructed at Lusail Circuit ahead of this year’s race. Regular ticket sales for the 2023 Qatar Grand Prix have not yet begun, but Paddock Club hospitality is already available with F1 Experiences.
