Qatar F1 race hopes appear to remain distant

Manama: Qatar`s hopes of joining the Formula One calendar in the near future appear to have receded after commercial supremo Bernie Ecclestone indicated he was unlikely to add a third Middle Eastern race to the schedule just yet.

"I think we`ve got enough here, don`t you?" the Briton told reporters at the Bahrain Grand Prix when asked about the possibility of a race in Doha.

Media reports have suggested that Qatar was close to signing a deal for a street race, possibly as early as next year.

Ecclestone confirmed last year that talks had taken place with the Qataris for a race that some reports have suggested would pay out 50 million pounds ($74.77 million) a year in hosting fees.

However, the Briton told reporters last December that Bahrain, who hosted the first race in the region in 2004, effectively had a veto on any new races that could overshadow theirs.

"I made a deal with the people in Bahrain and they said, `If we are going to be something new in this area, which we are, will you give us a guarantee you won`t put another race on in the area, in the Gulf?`," he said then.

Bahrain circuit chief executive Sheikh Salman bin Isa Al-Khalifa shrugged off talk of a veto but indicated the matter was not pressing.

"I heard Bernie asked about that in the media centre, and he said isn`t two races enough for the region?," he replied when asked about Qatar.

"It`s not for us (to say). It`s for the rights holder. We welcomed Abu Dhabi when they came on board and we`ll wait and see," he added. "I think Mr E appreciates the loyalty we have kept with him.

"As a businessman, as the way he is, he asks from his friends whether this is right or wrong, and that`s where that concept is.

"I really don`t have an answer for that but it`s nothing we have seen that is serious, so until it is then we can`t (answer)," added Shaikh Salman.

The chief executive said he wanted to extend Bahrain`s deal beyond 2016 and talks were ongoing.

He also ruled out pushing for Bahrain, the fourth round of the calendar this year, to take the season-opening slot held by Australia. However, he indicated that the circuit would like an earlier date in future.