Preview: Qatar Grand Prix: 2023

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   Fact File: Qatar Grand Prix

   • The F1 Sprint returns for the first time since the Belgian Grand Prix back in August.

   • This will be the fourth sprint event of the season, following Baku, Austria, and Spa.

   • There are still two more sprint events to come before the end of the season: the

     United States Grand Prix in Austin and the São Paulo Grand Prix at Interlagos.

   • Following F1's inaugural visit to the Lusail International Circuit back in 2021, the

     circuit has been completely resurfaced.

     • Understanding how this has impacted on grip and tyre degradation will be a key focus for the team during FP1.

     • That will be particularly crucial this weekend as we enter parc fermé conditions ahead of qualifying on Friday evening.

     • A completely new pit and paddock complex has been constructed at the track in time for this year's race.

     • This will include larger pit garages, new team buildings, and new access tunnels.

     • Temperatures during the day in Doha are forecast to reach close to 40°C this week.

     • Qualifying, the F1 Sprint, and the Grand Prix itself take place at night, and therefore

       temperatures are expected to average a more comfortable 27°C.

     • However, FP1 and the Sprint Shootout will take place before sunset and

       temperatures, and thus track conditions, could therefore vary quite dramatically.

     • The race in 2021 saw a number of punctures attributed to the flatter kerbs of the

       Lusail circuit. Unspecified work has been carried out on these ahead of this year's

       race so that will be a focus of understanding ahead of running on Friday.

     • The track has a fast and flowing nature as it is predominantly used for motorcycle

       racing.

     • There is only one corner, turn six, that sees the minimum speed drop below 100

       km/h.

     • There are therefore no heavy braking events for us to tackle, a unique occurrence on

       the 2023 calendar.

     • The braking energy requirement is therefore low; there are still six braking events

       that the cars encounter across the lap.

     • There are 16 corners in total: 10 to the right and six to the left. The track's main

       straight covers over 1km of the total lap distance and is the sole DRS zone on the

       circuit.

     • The pit lane in Qatar is the third longest of any circuit we visit on the calendar, behind

       only Imola and Silverstone.

     • It clocks in at 450 metres and the expected pit lane time is over 20 seconds.