Iran planning to build a F1 track at Qeshm Island

  • Published on 04 May 2015 11:47
  • comments 1
  • By: Rob Veenstra

Iran is once again being mentioned as a potential new host for formula one. In 2011, the country bordering Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iraq came onto the F1 radar when it emerged officials had approved plans for a circuit close to the capital Tehran.

International journalists described the thought of an Iranian grand prix as "unlikely" and even "bizarre", and F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone said at the time: "I don't think Iran is top of our list." But the Islamic Republic News Agency reported on Sunday that Iran has a new plan to build a F1 track in Qeshm, a large island just off the mainland.

The report said the news had been broken by Masoud Soltanifar, who is Iran's head of tourism and heritage. "He made the remarks during his recent visit to the Qeshm island," the IRNA agency said. "Iran has so many young people with an increasing tendency for driving. Formula one has a great future in Iran," the official reportedly added.

However, F1 sponsorship expert Zak Brown said the sport's move away from traditional European markets like Germany has resulted in "disappointment" among already dissatisfied sponsors. "With Italy (removed) there will be the same reaction," he told Reuters.

"We are adding some good ones, but then there is speculation of a third race in the Middle East. How can you have three races there and none in Germany?" wondered Brown, boss of the motor sport sponsorship agency Just Marketing. (GMM)

Replies (1)

Login to reply
  • RFLMAO that island is used by foreign workers in the middle east when they come on visit to change their visa by exiting the country for a day or two before returning back from Qeshm Island, Qish island is another neighboring Iranian island with same setup to serve as a Visa change port. You'll find bedbug infested hotels and near refugee style barracks for living quarters in most places on the islands.

    F1 in that place? We'll have an F1 race in North Korea before Iran's Island ever gets one.

    • + 0
    • May 5 2015 - 03:34

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

BEGrand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

World Championship standings 2024

Show full world champion standings

Test calendar

See full test schedule

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
29 - Mar 2
Bahrain
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia
22 - Mar 24
Australia
5 - Apr 7
Japan
19 - Apr 21
China
3 - May 5
United States of America
17 - May 19
Italy
24 - May 26
Monaco
7 - Jun 9
Canada
21 - Jun 23
Spain
28 - Jun 30
Austria
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom
19 - Jul 21
Hungary
26 - Jul 28
Belgium
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands
30 - Sep 1
Italy
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan
20 - Sep 22
Singapore
18 - Oct 20
United States of America
25 - Oct 27
Mexico
1 - Nov 3
Brazil
22 - Nov 24
United States of America
29 - Dec 1
Qatar
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
29 - Mar 2
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
22 - Mar 24
Australia Albert Park
5 - Apr 7
19 - Apr 21
3 - May 5
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
17 - May 19
24 - May 26
Monaco Monte Carlo
7 - Jun 9
21 - Jun 23
28 - Jun 30
Austria Red Bull Ring
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom Silverstone
19 - Jul 21
Hungary Hungaroring
26 - Jul 28
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
30 - Sep 1
Italy Monza
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
20 - Sep 22
18 - Oct 20
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
25 - Oct 27
1 - Nov 3
Brazil Interlagos
22 - Nov 24
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
29 - Dec 1
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule
show sidebar