Written by Owen Bradley
Formula One returns to the Lusail Circuit for the Qatar Grand Prix this weekend, the penultimate race of the season, with the Constructor's Championship still on the line as McLaren lead Ferrari by 24 points, with Red Bull further behind but still in contention, 53 points behind McLaren. In this article, you can read a preview of the event, the session times and find out where to watch all the action!
The Lusail International Circuit
Located in Doha, Qatar - The Lusail International Circuit has already hosted some iconic moments in modern F1 history. In 2021, Qatar played a vital role in the result of the F1 championship, as Max Verstappen was given a penalty in Qualifying for not slowing under double waved yellow flags. Lewis Hamilton would take victory in the Grand Prix, with Verstappen in second and Fernando Alonso scoring his first and only podium with Alpine, the Spaniard's first podium since 2014.
With 16 corners, 10 to the right and 6 to the left, the Lusail Circuit is a fast-flowing track with little elevation changes. Subsequently, in the search for speed, drivers may find themselves struggling with the track limits, particularly at the double right-hander of Turns 4 and 5, as well as the entry to Turn 8 and the incredibly fast triple right-hander of Turns 12, 13 and 14.
The overtaking hotspots, will likely be on the main straight with a long DRS (Drag Reduction System) zone assisting drivers in overtaking down the home straight, and also at the long, flowing right-hander of Turn 1. With the winding nature of the opening corner, the drivers will most likely run different racing lines into Turn 2, attempting to set themselves up for a potential move into the tight and slow Turn 4.
Turns 6 and 7 will likely also be the most common corners to spot some overtakes, both of them at low-speed, allowing for a driver to dive up the inside of another. They will also be looking to maximise their exit speed from the corners, as both turns set the cars onto a brief straight thereafter.
Last year, the Grand Prix faced scrutiny after the drivers struggled physically, with multiple drivers needing medical assistance and Logan Sargeant even retiring from the race due to intense dehydration. With the knowledge that the race will be physically testing for the drivers, the FIA and Formula One have been developing a "driver cooling kit" which will be in effect from the 2025 season. For this weekend, the drivers will definitely be trying to keep their cool both in and out of the cockpit.
Can Ferrari close to McLaren in the Constructor's Championship?
With just two Grands Prix remaining and one Sprint race, the race is on for the Constructor's Championship. The two teams are separated by 24 points, with a maximum of 59 points available on a Sprint weekend, and a maximum of 44 points available in a regular Grand Prix weekend. With Qatar a Sprint weekend and Abu Dhabi next weekend, it means that the maximum amount of points on offer, is 103 points. This would be if both drivers in either McLaren or Ferrari were to score 1-2 finishes in every race, and take the Fastest Lap Point as well.
McLaren have definitely been able to shine since the summer break, with Lando Norris at one point having a potential shot at the Drivers' Championship against Max Verstappen. However, in Las Vegas, McLaren seemed to struggle more, only able to score 16 points between both drivers, finishing in sixth and seventh.
Ferrari on the other hand, managed to finish in third and fourth last time out, with Carlos Sainz taking the podium ahead of Charles Leclerc. Sainz is leaving the Scuderia Ferrari at the end of this season, and will therefore certainly be aiming to leave the Italian manufacturer on a high, both iconic car brands ready to do battle as we approach the final two Grands Prix of the year. Red Bull are also in contention, sitting at 53 points behind McLaren. However, they will need to maximise their scoring potential, and will need Sergio Perez to step up.
McLaren could even win the Constructor's Championship this weekend, if they score a 1-2 finish in both the Sprint Race and Grand Prix, along with either Lando Norris or Oscar Piastri also then taking the Fastest Lap point. Piastri secured victory in the 2023 Qatar Sprint race, so this circuit may appeal to the McLaren MCL38.
Sergio Perez - Sink or Swim?
With the season coming to a close, it seems as though Red Bull will be about to concede the Constructors' Championship to either McLaren or Ferrari after taking it in dominant fashion last season. With Max Verstappen taking the 2024 Drivers' Championship, the weakest link is evidently Sergio Perez, who has frequently been unable to make it out of Q1, therefore making the Grand Prix even more difficult.
There are rumours that despite Red Bull signing Perez on for 2025, and Perez himself claiming that he has rejected four offers to leave Red Bull, the Milton Keynes based team will allegedly hold a meeting either during of after the Abu Dhabi weekend, and assess their decision to keep Perez for 2025, especially as notable drivers will be without a seat in F1 next year, like Franco Colapinto, Daniel Ricciardo, Mick Schumacher and others.
With Red Bull still in contention for the Constructors' Championship, potentially the only way for Perez to secure a seat with Red Bull in 2025, is to seriously attempt to win the Constructors' Championship, although that is now a tall order.
Owen's Predictions!
Taking into account the performances and physically demanding nature of the race last season, I'm predicting that McLaren's Oscar Piastri will be the one to claim victory on Sunday afternoon, with Carlos Sainz and Lando Norris joining the Australian on the podium.
Overall for the Constructors' Championship, I think that we will head into the season finale in Abu Dhabi with McLaren holding more or less, a similar advantage to the one they currently enjoy over Ferrari.
F1 Qatar Grand Prix - Session Times - UK Time
Friday 29th November
Free Practice: 13:30
Sprint Qualifying: 17:30
Saturday 30th November
Sprint Race: 14:00
Qualifying: 18:00
Sunday 1st December
Qatar Grand Prix: 16:00
Where to Watch the F1 U.S GP?
UK viewers can watch all the action on Sky Sports F1, or with NOW TV.
U.S viewers will be able to find the racing action on ESPN.
European and other global viewers can watch the Austrian Grand Prix on F1 TV.