(From left) Alfardan Automobiles chief operating officer Mohamed Kandeel, Dorna CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta, QMMF president and FIM deputy president Nasser Khalifa al-Attiyah and Commercial Bank of Qatar deputy CEO Colin Macdonald at the press conference yesterday.

By Mikhil Bhat/Losail


With Qatar hosting the opening round of MotoGP and the final round of the World Superbike Championship, Dorna CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta yesterday endorsed the country’s position as a key place in the world of motor-racing.
Losail International Circuit is hosting its 12th MotoGP event this weekend and has been opening the season since 2007. WSBK returned to the 5.38km circuit last year for the first time since 2009 after Bridgepoint, the private equity firm that owns Dorna and Infront Sports, the then event organisers, decided to bring MotoGP and World Superbike Championship under one roof.
“For us coming to Qatar means the start of a new year. We often wish Happy New Year to each other when we arrive for the season opener here,” Ezpeleta said at a press conference at Losail International Circuit yesterday.
“We are extremely happy to be here. Qatar has become a traditional event in MotoGP in just a few years. If I may say, the championship will be difficult to think about without the presence of Qatar on the calendar.
“Qatar is now hosting the first race of MotoGP and the last race of Superbike, and also we had the prize giving ceremony of World Superbike here last year. The commitment of the QMMF (Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation) and Qatar for motorcycle has been incredible. I remember when we were here for the first year, almost nobody knew about the place… but Qatar has now consolidated its position as one of the key places in the world of motor-racing.”
QMMF president and FIM deputy president Nasser Khalifa al-Attiyah said: “We have been getting huge support from Dorna. With Commercial Bank and Alfardan Automobiles, they are really our biggest tools who have been with us since the beginning, and Dorna, we as MotoGP are challenging Formula 1 reach worldwide. The increase in the audience interest is really huge.”
The current contract between QMMF and Dorna to host MotoGP runs till 2016 but given the comfort between the two bodies, both Ezpeleta and al-Attiyah ensured that extending the contract will not be a problem.
“We have begun discussions on the new contract. Actually, we can’t really call it a discussion considering both the parties are keen to continue this relationship. We just have a few details to discuss. The MotoGP Grand Prix will continue in Qatar for many more years,” Ezpeleta said.
For good humour, al-Attiyah, holding on to the Spanish administrator, added: “I guarantee you that I will grab him. We are strong partners and we need to continue this. We will renew our agreement for the future for sure. We are proud of hosting MotoGP.”
MotoGP caravan travels eastwards for four races — Qatar, Japan, Australia and Malaysia — with a majority of the 18 races in Europe.
On question of whether MotoGP will travel to other places in the Middle East, al-Attiyah said, “I think it is his (Ezpeleta’s) prerogative to look at the future. For sure, the two organisations are very close and we will see if there is any country who will want to invest seriously along with. Qatar has been doing a lot to create a motorcycle culture here. It is not just about arranging a race. A culture has to be built around the series.”
Ezpeleta added: “We started in the Middle East with Qatar. Qatar is our destination for Superbike and MotoGP. Qatar is our representative in the Middle East. Anything we do in the Middle East will be in agreement with Qatar. If any one does approach us to host a MotoGP race, we will consult with Qatar and together look at the best way to consolidate the motorcycle culture in the Middle East.”
Also present at the press conference were Commercial Bank of Qatar deputy CEO Colin Macdonald and Alfardan Automobiles chief operating officer Mohamed Kandeel.
Macdonald said: “QMMF have been great friends of the Commercial Bank of Qatar over the years. We are proud to be involved again with this fantastic event at the Losail International Circuit. 2015 is a special year for Commercial Bank. We celebrate our 40th anniversary this year. That makes us the oldest and the biggest private bank in Qatar, a true pioneer of banking in Qatar.
“We have been title sponsors in 2006, so this is our tenth year of support. The reason the relationship has been so long is because Grand Prix of Qatar has grown year on year and has created a profile for itself on the international stage.
“We are proud to promote sporting excellence in Qatar and we want to support Qatar’s image at the international stage in terms of sport. Commercial Bank believes we should be doing everything possible to support prestigious events in the country. MotoGP has a massive global following, and this puts Qatar and for that matter Commercial Bank on a global stage.”
Kandeel said: “Alfardan Automobiles are proud in supporting the MotoGP world championship in Qatar, under the guidance and reign of HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani. MotoGP is one of the most prestigious motorsport events in the world. BMW has been associated with MotoGP for 16 years. This year, two cars will be launched and will be at all the 18 rounds of the season — BMW M4 and X5M. Alfardan Automobiles are willing to continue as the official transporter of the MotoGP Grand Prix of Qatar and BMW also is proud as a car company to continue this partnership with Dorna.”