“We are really excited that we will come back as the opening round for 2027 and we look forward to welcoming the teams, manufacturers, officials, media, and fans back to Qatar next March”
Interview with the President of the Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation (QMMF) and Lusail International Circuit (LIC), Abdul Rahman bin Abdullatif Al Mannai
Doha, Qatar, September 1st 2026 — The Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation (QMMF) has reaffirmed its long-term commitment to international endurance racing, despite the cancellation of this year’s Qatar 1812km.
Preparations are already focused on welcoming the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) back to Lusail International Circuit (LIC) for the opening round of the 2027 season.
The 2026 Qatar 1812km was initially postponed and rescheduled for October but has subsequently been cancelled following regional logistical and travel challenges.
Abdul Rahman bin Abdullatif Al Mannai, President of the Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation (QMMF) and Lusail International Circuit (LIC), said the decision was disappointing, but stressed the wellbeing of the entire WEC community had to remain the priority.
“Of course, it is disappointing that the race was ultimately cancelled this year. Everything was lined up and we were ready to go ahead, but we fully respect the decision-making process of the WEC and the sport’s governing body, the FIA,” said Al Mannai.
Despite the cancellation of this year’s Qatar 1812km, attention is now firmly on 2027, when Qatar is scheduled to host the WEC Prologue group test on March 21-22, ahead of the opening round of the nine-race championship at the Lusail International Circuit on March 27.
The Qatar 1812km, ten-hour endurance race, has become a popular curtain-raiser to the season as competitors race from daylight into darkness at the state-of-the-art Lusail venue.
“We are really excited that we will come back as the opening round for 2027 and we cannot wait,” said Al Mannai. “Qatar is not stepping away from endurance racing because of one difficult season, our commitment is long-term and we look forward to welcoming the teams, manufacturers, officials, media, and fans back to Qatar next March.”
In addition to its endurance racing programme, QMMF is continuing preparations for Qatar’s wider international motorsport calendar, with MotoGP and Formula 1 among the major events scheduled at Lusail International Circuit this November.
Al Mannai said the organisation’s approach is to remain fully prepared while continuing to monitor regional developments.
“We cannot stop our plans for MotoGP and Formula 1. We have to be ready,” he said. “We are taking it one step at a time, assessing the situation and maintaining an open dialogue across both series, but so far everything is good and everything is a go-ahead.”
For QMMF, the focus is to continue building its reputation as a key destination in the international motorsport calendar, both in hosting major events and developing motorsport within Qatar to find the next generation of Qatari competitors.
Q&A
Abdul Rahman bin Abdul Latif Al Mannai
President of the Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation (QMMF) and Lusail International Circuit (LIC)
Q: How disappointed were you when the Qatar 1812km WEC race was first postponed, was it the correct decision to find a new date in October?
“When, unfortunately, the conflict in the region started, we expected the race to be postponed because it was difficult for everybody — logistically and in terms of safety. Naturally, we were disappointed because the Qatar 1812km has quickly become an important event for us and the endurance community.
Ultimately, it was a decision that we did not want to make, but we worked constructively with WEC and the FIA as delaying the race to October was logical. It made sense.
It gave us a lot of motivation because we would have had three events almost back-to-back, and we were really excited about it. It was like a motorsport festival, with the WEC, MotoGP and, after that, Formula 1.”
Q: Qatar was ready to host the WEC race in October, therefore was the cancellation frustrating?
“Yes, it was disappointing that it was ultimately cancelled this year. Everything was lined up and we were ready for it, but we totally respect the decision-making process that came out of WEC and the FIA.
Safety and wellbeing of the entire WEC community must come first as the championship has a responsibility to consider the safety and logistics of everyone travelling to an event — teams, manufacturers, officials, media, and fans.
The fact that we initially found an October date showed everyone we wanted to find a way to make the race happen. Unfortunately, the regional circumstances did not develop in a way that ultimately made that possible.”
Q: Could Qatar itself have safely staged a race in October?
“You’re absolutely right. We’ve been ready to race for a long time. Unfortunately, with the logistical challenges and travel issues, that’s the reason for the delay and the eventual cancellation.
In terms of our ability, we’ve hosted many, many events, to a very high standard. We have to look forward now, rather than dwell on something outside of our control.”
Q: Do you think the geopolitical situation unfairly affected Qatar’s reputation as a sporting destination?
“We should separate geopolitics from Qatar’s sporting capability. Qatar has demonstrated that it can host major international sporting events safely and to the highest standards. The events of 2026 do not change Qatar’s capability or commitment.
Qatar has been safe for months now. Our airport is 100 per cent operational, including transit flights between Asia and Europe. If you visit Qatar, you will see we are back to normal life, so we’re really looking forward to hosting races again soon.”
Q: Do you think the situation will affect Formula 1 and the Qatar Grand Prix in November?
“The plan is to have the race. We are up and running and preparing for MotoGP and it’s the same with our discussions with Formula 1.
Of course, there are things that we cannot predict. It’s difficult. We don’t know what’s going to happen. The situation has been fluid, even though it’s been really quiet so far. It depends on what happens in the next couple of months or so.
For us, we cannot stop the plans. We have to be ready. We are taking it one step at a time to see the situation and assess. But so far, everything is good. Everything is a go-ahead.”
Q
Looking to next year, how important is it for you to have the WEC Prologue and opening WEC round in Qatar in 2027?
“It is extremely important, and we are really excited that we will come back as the opening round for 2027 and we cannot wait. Qatar is not stepping away from endurance racing because of one difficult season; our commitment is long-term.
And as a car enthusiast myself, WEC is in a really strong place right now with so many manufacturers and different types of cars on show. It’s one of my favourite series and I cannot wait to see it back here in Qatar, along with the Prologue.
We’ve started an important programme here in Qatar with our academy, and we raced at the 24 Hours of Le Mans for the first time. We are also competing in the European Le Mans Series and scored a podium at Spa — Abdulla Al Khelaifi was the driver of the weekend — so there is a lot of interest in sportscars in Qatar and for our team.”
Q: What have you learned from the experience of the past few months, and how is the relationship with WEC and the FIA?
“I think the most important thing has been communication. Trust is really important, and understanding the other side too.
In fact, I think our relationship with WEC has become even stronger. Even with the teams, I met the teams and talked to them, and we had a good discussion about the situation and our plans.
So, if anything, it actually deepened our relationship. We are in a much stronger position right now.
And our commitment to endurance racing is as strong as ever and important to Qatar’s motorsport strategy. As you know we want to have a team competing in WEC, and one day with a Qatari driving a Hypercar in the future. We are creating the right environment for our drivers to be competitive and to compete at the very highest level.”