Motorsport.com has acquired Formulawahad.com, a leading provider of online motorsports news and content that covers 22 countries within the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) region.

The announcement expands Motorsport.com's global footprint and delivery of online news content, including the largest motorsports digital platform in Arabic, said a statement.

Eric Gilbert, vice president of operations, Motorsport.com, said: ”With our entry into the Middle East and North Africa, Motorsport.com continues to strengthen its position as the global leader of auto racing news content.

"Formulawahad.com has built a very successful business model that will help leverage Motorsport.com's strategic growth into 14 countries and 10 native languages in 2015."

As part of the acquisition, Motorsport.com will launch Motorsport.com - Middle East, an Arabic-based sister motor sports website which will cover all major racing series, including Formula 1, World Endurance Championship, MotoGP, World Rally Championship, FIA Formula E, and provide extended coverage on local championships including the Middle East Rally Championship.

Scott Sebastian, vice president of marketing, said: “The Mena region is a very important piece to our global vision. The region's macroeconomic strength combined with very loyal passionate race and auto enthusiasts makes sense for our entry into the market."

Motorsport.com has also appointed Khodr Rawi as director of Motorsport.com - Middle East.

Rawi will lead the direction of all regional content for and report directly to Motorsport.com editor-in-chief, Charles Bradley.

The new business will begin operations in September. - TradeArabia News Service