GCC Motorsports Calendar for 2021

Motorsport had some big celebrations for 2020, such as 70 years of the Formula One World Drivers’ Championship. Although the championship went ahead, you can’t help but feel the celebrations were somewhat marred by the goings on around the world. It seems 2021 won’t be without its hiccups even here in the UAE. But there is still plenty going on for the petrol heads among us and the region has its fair share of the action.

F1

Onwards and upwards, is the sentiment around the globe today, and the 2021 championship kicks off at the Bahrain International Circuit on the 26^th March. Originally scheduled for Australia, it seems travel restrictions have already played their part in disrupting the events, although it is exciting for us to see Bahrain hosting the opening events. As if that wasn’t enough, the UAE hosts the finals in Abu Dhabi, after the penultimate race in Saudi Arabia, so opportunities to catch some of the action will be plentiful.

WEC

Another event to look out for towards the end of the year is the FIA World Endurance Championship. The season comes to an end at the Bahrain International Circuit where the sportscar extravaganza reaches fever pitch as all classes battle it out for the title over an 8-hour race.

Asian Le Mans

Two weekends for the diary this month are the 13^th/14^th, where Dubai’s own Autodrom hosts the Asian Le Mans, and the 19^th/20^th at Yas Marina in Abu Dhabi. The Asian Le Mans has a record number of entrants this year. The record breaking 36 entrants are made up of 17 prototypes and 19 GT3s with 12 new racing teams making their debut at the series. Again, due to travel restrictions the series will be run in its entirety across the two weekends here in the UAE, rather than the four countries normally seen.

UAE F4

The UAE F4 Championship will be running its final legs this month at Yas Marina, Abu Dhabi from the 4^th to the 6^th of February. The Dubai Autodrome will be playing host to the final leg from the 11^th to the 13^th where it is hoped driver Dilano Van’t Hoff will bring home the title for Dubai based Xcel Motorsport.

Dubai Autodrome

As always, there is a whole host of events, track days and experiences to be found at the Autodrome. If you can’t get your fill from your armchair, head on over to their site to see what’s on through the week and you could end up in the drivers seat – https://dubaiautodrome.ae/ As for us, we’re wishing Xcel Motorsport and the young Van’t Hoff the best of luck this month in the F4 Championship. Taking the title would be an excellent achievement for the young driver and the Xcel team.