Doha emerges as potential Formula E race venue

Qatar is hopeful of bringing Formula E to its capital, Doha, in the near future, emerging as a possible first Middle Eastern venue for the all-electric series.

After partnering with Formula E as its official airline partner in Season 3 and acting as the title sponsor for races in Paris and New York, the state-owned Qatar Airways confirmed in Doha on Monday it would extend these same agreements through the 2017/18 campaign.

During a press conference alongside Formula E CEO Alejandro Agag, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, chief executive of Qatar Airways, confirmed plans were in place to bring the all-electric single-seater series to Qatar.

"Yes, we will have a race in Qatar. It is just a matter of logistics," Al Baker said.

"Once we finalise talks with the relevant authorities, we will announce it."

Formula E spokesperson Renato Bisignani added: "We're happy to see the relationship with Qatar Airways continue for this season as well.

"The Middle East is an area we are keen on growing our presence, and we're evaluating several options in the region.

"Doha would be a great city to race in, but as always there are many details to look at when racing in city centres."

Formula E has one of the widest-reaching calendars in global motorsport, staging its races in the heart of cities such as Hong Kong, New York, Paris and Berlin, but is yet to have visited the Middle East region through its four-season history.

Qatar has taken steps to develop local interest in motorsport by hosting MotoGP and World Superbike rounds at the Losail International Circuit, and previously staged WTCC rounds in 2015 and 2016.

Formula 1 was linked with a race in Qatar back in 2015, but plans never came to fruition.