Hamad Bin Khalifa University’s (HBKU) College of Law and the Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation (QMMF) co-hosted a panel discussion highlighting legal issues in motorsport.
The session was held in advance of the second Qatar Grand Prix, scheduled for October 6-8.
Titled “Legal Issues in Motorsport: Preparing for the Qatar Grand Prix,” the event’s panel featured renowned local and international experts including Amro al-Hamad, executive director, QMMF; Fatima al-Qaedi, communication and marketing manager, QMMF; Mark Buckley, partner, Fladgate; Mohamed Bhaimohmed, senior counsel – head of legal, FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022; and Zachary Calo, professor of law, HBKU and senior counsel, McNair International.
Al-Hamad gave introductory remarks, underlining the importance of Qatar’s hosting of a prominent motorsport event. His comments set the stage for a lively discussion about governance, dispute resolution and intellectual property – all relevant subjects since motorsport, particularly at the Grand Prix level, is highly rules based.
An important aspect of the session involved Bhaimohmed presenting lessons learned from the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, which al-Hamad and al-Qaedi discussed in connection with the Qatar Grand Prix.
A second key feature was the examination of the complex regulatory and dispute resolution processes in motorsport, which Prof Calo detailed and Buckley, who has been involved in numerous cases, discussed from a legal counsel’s perspective. The session also gave students and faculty the chance to network with fellow motorsport enthusiasts.
Susan L Karamanian, dean, HBKU College of Law, noted that “The second Qatar Grand Prix reflects the exponential growth experienced by the Mena region’s motorsports sector. It will require locally-based legal professionals, well-versed in the law in this field, to continue its development, which falls under our mission to build regional capacity with global relevance.”
