Qatar plays down Bahrain replacement rumours

The Qatar Motor and Motorcycling Federation (QMMF) has played down rumours the Arab emirate could be set to replace Bahrain on the F1 calendar.

Prior to the civil unrest that led to the postponement of this year’s Bahrain season opener, Qatar had already begun modifying its Losail circuit so it is able to host a grand prix as well as its popular MotoGP night event.

But a spokesman for the QMMF dismissed suggestions Qatar is readying to become a long-term calendar replacement for Bahrain.

"As you know, formula one has an agreement with Bahrain until 2016," the official insisted.

"We want to make clear that at present there are no communications or official conversations with the promoters of formula one," he added, according to Dutch website f1today.nl.