After both McLaren drivers were disqualified after the chequered flag at the Las Vegas Grand Prix, F1 fans are keen to see what drama Qatar could bring. In the heat of Lusail, every point matters.
The Lusail International Circuit was originally designed for MotoGP, hosting the series’ first ever night race in 2008. In 2021, the circuit hosted the inaugural Qatar Grand Prix and has since become an F1 staple. The lap record is held by Lando Norris, and Max Verstappen won the most recent race here in 2024.
For 2025, F1 has introduced a mandatory two-pit-stop rule. The circuit is loaded with high-speed corners that chew through tyres, hence the new rule. The FIA has capped each set of tyres at 25 laps, and with the Grand Prix lasting 57 laps, this promises entertainment. You’d expect that more pit stops would make a Grand Prix more interesting. However F1 has tried this before – at Monaco earlier in the 2025 season. Drivers said this rule made the Monaco Grand Prix feel artificial, and criticised how it led to unsportsmanlike tactics like holding up a long train of cars. F1 fans will be hoping this doesn’t repeat in Qatar – as cars deliberately going slowly never make for exciting racing.
2025 marks Lusail’s third time hosting a sprint. Oscar Piastri clinched his first ever F1 victory here in 2023, successfully fending off Max Verstappen during the sprint. Can he rediscover his old form and beat Norris at a track the Brit has never taken a podium?
This penultimate Grand Prix is a time for teams to consolidate their position in the Constructors’ Championship. Mercedes have outscored Ferrari in four of the last six Grands Prix so a dominant performance in Qatar will cement their second place in the Constructors’. In the Drivers’ Championship, the battle is still alive between Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris. Currently Norris leads by 24 points. If Piastri wins in Qatar and Norris doesn’t finish, Piastri would retake the lead. This would set up Abu Dhabi as the title decider. Max Verstappen is also equal on points with Piastri, showing that this title could really go three ways. However if Norris outscores Piastri and Verstappen by two points, he will be crowned World Champion.
Overall, the Qatar Grand Prix promises some drama: tyre wear, unpredictable strategies, a sprint, plus the spectacle of a night race. What more could you ask for? This race could truly shape the season.
