Until recently GP2's newest competitor, the My Qi-Meritus Mahara team has welcomed two further additions to the category's repertoire following the confirmation that a night race at the Losail circuit in Qatar has been added to the 2008-09 Asia Series schedule.

The Qatar date replaces the planned second event in Dubai over 6-7 February and will add extra variety to the calendar alongside double-header weekends at Shanghai, Sepang, Bahrain and the initial visit to Dubai which was marred by flooding for the second straight season.

"Qatar is not only a new addition to our calendar, but it also marks an excellent decision as Qatar is one of the strong emerging markets of the of Gulf Coast Cooperation Council,," team chairman Raad S Abduljawad commented, "The diversification of the GP2 Asia series calendar is an excellent business opportunity for our sponsors.

"Qatar is a location successful development activities with lots of projects are taking place in this part of the world. This race will provide a new exciting challenge for all 13 teams and 26 drivers in the series. I am proud that My Qi-Meritus.Mahara will take part in the first ever GP2 Asia event at the Losail International Circuit."

Meritus has enjoyed a strong start to the 2008-09 Asia Series, its second as a GP2 outfit, with rookie Earl Bamber impressing in particular.

"I am really looking forward to the second part of the season," team owner Peter Thompson admitted, "Our team and two drivers - Alex Yoong and Earl Bamber - are ready, not only to compete in this first historical night event for GP2, but are also ready to compete in the four last rounds of the championship aiming at a higher position than fourth in the championship standings.

"We won [in FBMW] this year in Singapore at the first ever [F1] night event. Singapore proved to be a success, generating tremendous spirit amongst fans and spectators all over the world, and we are confident that the GP2 Asia Series will emulate the same feeling and same kind of dramatic action in Qatar. I am really looking forward to that fourth round that will be the next best thing with a well-equipped track that is organising its first ever single-seater night race."