Qatar, an oil-rich state, is leveraging tourism as its new trump card. This is why, in addition to hosting the World Cup, the country has also invested heavily to secure a Formula 1 Grand Prix. The race at the Losail International Circuit was already on the calendar in 2021, replacing the Australian GP, which was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Qatar then signed a ten-year contract with Formula 1, running until 2033. Max Verstappen successfully defended his Formula 1 world title in Qatar in 2023 by finishing second in the sprint race.
GP Qatar: A Night Race on the F1 Calendar
The Losail International Circuit, also known as Lusail, located on the outskirts of the capital Doha, was opened in 2004 and is a creation of Hermann Tilke. The circuit is primarily known as a motorbike track, hosting the MotoGP since 2004, except for the COVID-19 year of 2020. Like many races in the Middle East, the Qatar GP is a night race under artificial light. When Formula 1 races there on December 1, 2024, it will be no different, with the start time just before sunset. The second edition of the Qatar GP did not take place in 2022, but a year later. The race at the Losail International Circuit was skipped in 2022 because Qatar was hosting the World Cup.
Key Facts about the Qatar GP:
- Opened: 2004
- First F1 race: 2021
- Location: Lusail
- Length: 5.380 km
- Number of turns: 16
- Most victories: Lewis Hamilton & Max Verstappen (1)
- Lap record: Max Verstappen (1.23,196 in 2021)
Recent Winners of the Qatar GP:
- 2023: Max Verstappen
- 2021: Lewis Hamilton
Max Verstappen Finishes 2nd in the First Qatar GP
The inaugural Grand Prix of Qatar was certainly a spectacle. Drivers like Fernando Alonso and Sebastian Vettel relished the ‘fantastic and flowing’ and ‘extremely fast’ circuit. Lewis Hamilton won the first F1 race at the Losail International Circuit, followed by Max Verstappen and Fernando Alonso. The concern that overtaking would be difficult on the track was alleviated by DRS and the long straight start/finish stretch. Plans for a completely new street circuit in Doha have been scrapped, and instead, the Losail International Circuit will undergo a significant makeover, including more space for fans. To make things less predictable, the 2023 Qatar Grand Prix also included a sprint race.
Max Verstappen Secures Third Consecutive World Title at 2023 Qatar GP
Max Verstappen secured his third consecutive world title by finishing second in the sprint race on Saturday, behind McLaren driver Oscar Piastri. A day later, Verstappen completed the celebration at Red Bull Racing by winning the Qatar GP. It was his fifteenth victory of the season.
