The Qatar Grand Prix (Arabic: جائزة قطر الكبرى) is a Formula One motor racing event which is held in Qatar. It was held for the first time on 21 November as part of the 2021 championship at the Lusail International Circuit, and after not taking place during the 2022 season due to the 2022 FIFA World Cup taking place in Qatar, it rejoined the calendar in 2023 under a 10-year contract. The race was established as the fourth full-night race (as opposed to day or day-to-night races) on the Formula One calendar, following the Singapore, Bahrain and Sakhir Grands Prix.
| Lusail International Circuit (2023–present) | |
 | |
| Race information | |
|---|---|
| Number of times held | 2 |
| First held | 2021 |
| Most wins (drivers) |  Lewis Hamilton (1) Max Verstappen (1) |
| Most wins (constructors) |  Mercedes (1) Red Bull Racing (1) |
| Circuit length | 5.419 km (3.367 miles) |
| Race length | 308.611 km (191.762 miles) |
| Laps | 57 |
| Last race (2023) | |
| Pole position | |
| Podium | |
| |
| Fastest lap | |
History
editOrigin
editThe 2021 Formula One season was initially planned over 23 races. The opening round of the season, the Australian Grand Prix, was initially postponed due to COVID-19 restrictions in the country before being cancelled.[1]
The cancellation of the Australian Grand Prix occurred late during the season and left a vacancy in the calendar, and the inaugural Qatar Grand Prix was announced as its replacement in October 2021.[2]
2021
editThe inaugural edition of the Qatar Grand Prix took place on 21 November, in place of the cancelled Australian Grand Prix. The race was won by Lewis Hamilton, with Max Verstappen and Fernando Alonso completing the podium.[3]
The Grand Prix has received criticism from Amnesty International on the grounds of human rights in Qatar.
In response to Amnesty International, Formula One said, "For decades Formula One has worked hard be a positive force everywhere it races, including economic, social, and cultural benefits. Sports like Formula One are uniquely positioned to cross borders and cultures to bring countries and communities together to share the passion and excitement of incredible competition and achievement. We take our responsibilities on rights very seriously and set high ethical standards for counter parties and those in our supply chain, which are enshrined in contracts, and we pay close attention to their adherence."[4] The same response was made for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, another Grand Prix in the Middle East that also made its debut in 2021, for similar reasons.[5]
2023
editAfter a one year absence in 2022, due to the 2022 FIFA World Cup which was staged in Qatar between November and December, the Qatar Grand Prix returned to the calendar on a 10-year contract from 2023. A new purpose-built circuit was initially proposed for the 2023 race,[6] before being retained in Lusail.[7] The Grand Prix featured one of six sprints in the season which was won by Oscar Piastri, claiming his first Formula One sprint victory. Max Verstappen clinched his third World Drivers' Championship title and third in a row.[8]
Winners
editBy year
editAll Qatar Grands Prix were held at the Lusail International Circuit.
| Year | Driver | Constructor | Report |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Lewis Hamilton
|
Mercedes | Report |
| 2022 | Not held | ||
| 2023 | Max Verstappen
|
Red Bull Racing-Honda RBPT | Report |
| Source:[9] | |||
References
edit- ^ Morgan, Cassandra; Fowler, Michael (6 July 2021). "Australian Grand Prix cancelled again due to COVID-19". The Sydney Morning Herald. Nine Entertainment Co. Pty Ltd. Archived from the original on 6 July 2021. Retrieved 7 July 2021.
He pointed to low vaccination rates, national cabinet's decision to halve international arrival caps for returning Australians and Formula One requiring a decision on the event by the end of the week as the crucial factors.
- ^ "F1 to hold first Qatar Grand Prix at Losail this November". Motor Sport Magazine. 30 September 2021. Archived from the original on 30 September 2021. Retrieved 30 September 2021.
- ^ Grez, Matias (22 November 2021). "Lewis Hamilton wins Qatar Grand Prix to cut Max Verstappen's championship lead". CNN. Retrieved 30 April 2023.
- ^ "Qatar F1 race will be held in November along with 10-year deal". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 1 October 2021. Retrieved 2 October 2021.
- ^ Richards, Giles (5 November 2020). "Human rights groups urge driver action over F1 race in Saudi Arabia". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Archived from the original on 5 November 2020. Retrieved 6 November 2020.
- ^ Cooper, Adam (30 September 2021). "F1 confirms Qatar GP on 2021 calendar as part of long-term deal". Autosport.com. Motorsport Network. Archived from the original on 30 September 2021. Retrieved 30 September 2021.
There will be no Grand Prix in 2022 as the country will focus on hosting the FIFA World Cup that will start exactly a year after the first Formula One race. The event will then return in 2023.
- ^ "F1 announces 24-race calendar for 2023". Formula1.com. 20 September 2022. Archived from the original on 23 September 2022. Retrieved 20 September 2022.
- ^ "Verstappen secures third F1 world title as Piastri takes Sprint victory in Qatar". Formula1.com. 7 October 2023. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
- ^ "Qatar GP". ChicaneF1. Archived from the original on 5 December 2021. Retrieved 5 December 2021.