Formula 1: The ‘accidentally’ leaked secret has been confirmed

Losail International Circuit is set to join the Formula 1 calendar as the replacement for Albert Park Grand Prix Circuit this November.

Even since it was announced that the Australian Grand Prix, which was initially postponed from its traditional slot as the Formula 1 season opener in March to November as a result of COVID-19-related restrictions, had been cancelled, there has been speculation about what track would replace Albert Park Grand Prix Circuit on the schedule

Formula 1 recently confirmed a record-breaking 22-race schedule for 2021, one race shy of the initially scheduled 23-race calendar, but the Sunday, November 21 date to which the Australian Grand Prix had first been postponed was left TBD.

Losail International Circuit had been the rumored replacement track, and earlier this week, Red Bull team principal Christian Horner “accidentally” leaked to ServusTV that Formula 1 is set to run there instead of Albert Park Grand Prix Circuit later this year.

Now this “accidentally” leaked venue has been confirmed as the 20th and antepenultimate track on this year’s schedule.

The first ever Qatar Grand Prix is scheduled to take place at the 16-turn, 3.343-mile (5.380-kilometer) road course in Lusail, Al Daayen, Qatar on Sunday, November 21 as the first of three straight Middle Eastern races to close out the 2021 season.

This means that there are seven races remaining on this year’s 22-race schedule.

Additionally, an agreement has been signed for Formula 1 to return to Qatar in 2023. This new deal is a 10-year deal.

Here is what Formula 1 had to say about the matter in a statement.

"“There was a strong will from Qatar to be helpful to F1, and in the course of this process, the vision for a longer partnership was discussed and agreed for 10 years.“The step from the gesture to be helpful to F1 in 2021 to a long term strategy was short and simple and the vision for F1 to be the showcase for Qatar after the FIFA World Cup in 2022 was the driving force behind this long term agreement.“As part of the longer-term deal, discussions will continue regarding the location for the Grand Prix from 2023 with further details to be provided at a later time.”"

Additionally statements about this news can be found on Formula 1’s website.