Formula 1 has only raced in Qatar three times before, with a one-off visit in 2021 before the event was permanently added to the calendar two years ago. A high-speed test that can wear out tires so much that a maximum stint length of 25 laps is imposed this year, the Lusail International Circuit pushes the limits of F1 machinery and your guide for a lap is the 2024 runner-up here, Charles Leclerc.
“It’s a very, very big physical challenge, probably the biggest of the season. The heat isn’t as bad as it was two years ago because now it’s actually quite chilly in the evenings. But the fact that Pirelli is putting a 25-lap limit on the stints means we’re pushing like crazy all race long, which makes it very physically challenging.”
“It’s also a very difficult circuit to master in general because there are so many high-speed corners, so you have to put your full effort into the qualifying laps. And the slightest mistake in a high-speed corner is the end of that lap straight away, and you just have to start over. Whereas at low speed it’s a little more manageable if you make a mistake. So that also makes it harder to master.”
“The last sector is an important part of the circuit to get right. That’s where all the high-speed sections are. It’s also quite tricky with the car bottoming out on those parts, so this is the trickiest part.
“It’s quite clear that you have to set up the car for fast corners, but there are still some slow or medium-speed corners that you still have to be strong in. So it’s always a balance, but on a circuit like this you set the car more for high speed than for low speed, because there are a lot more high-speed sections. But it doesn’t make it any easier.”
“It wasn’t the hardest track when it came to tires – I think there are tracks that are much more aggressive on tires – but it was more the overheating, especially the first year, because of the heat. It was a different time of year, so that made it difficult. But to push the whole race qualifying laps after qualifying laps, that’s a lot harder than I think people might think.”
“Normally there is quite a difference between a race push and a qualifying push. You have to think about the tires and the way those tires will develop. Here it’s all about full throttle and taking maximum risk, corner after corner, for 57 laps.
“No, it’s quite unique… Silverstone is also a track we put quite a lot of pressure on, with all the high-speed sections there. But here it’s much more physical.
“I like it, especially because of the night racing part. I like night racing in general. My favorites are night racing on street circuits. It’s not a street circuit, but it’s also a very cool circuit, and I also like high speed. It’s a very nice circuit.”
AT A GLANCE:
Race distance: 57 laps/191.7 miles
Pole time 2024: 1m20.575s (George Russell, Mercedes)
Winner 2024: Max Verstappen, Red Bull
QATAR GRAND PRIX WEEKEND SCHEDULE (all times ET):
Friday November 28
8.25 – 9.30 – Free practice 1, ESPNU
12.55 – 1.30 pm – Sprint Qualifying, ESPNEWS
Saturday November 29
8:55 – 10:00 – Sprint, ESPN2
12:55 PM – 2:00 PM – Grand Prix Qualifying, ESPNEWS
Sunday November 30th
10:55 AM – 1:00 PM – Qatar Grand Prix (57 laps or 120 minutes), ESPN2
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