Official F1 Journal Track Guide- Lusail Qatar

This weekend the F1 circus returns to Qatar for the 1st time since our first visit in the now infamous 2021 season and for the first Sprint Weekend since Belgium. The Lusail circuit was a last minute replacement for the 2021  Australian Grand Prix which was cancelled due to Covid-19 concerns. And what a brilliant choice it was, the top 3 all completed the race on different strategies with Hamilton on a 2 stop, Vestappen in 2nd who pit 3 times and Alonso managed to run the whole race on just 1 stop with Sergio Perez hunting him down to the very last lap. Hopefully we will see a similar range in strategy and race craft this weekend especially with the addition of the Sprint Weekend layout for 2023

Race Stats 

Laps-
     Sprint- 19
      Race- 57
Circuit Length- 5.419
Sprint Distance- 102.961
Race Distance- 308.611
Corners- 16     10 Right   6 Left 
DRS Zones- 1 
      Activation- Exit Turn 15
   Deployment- Exit Turn 16 
Down Force Level- Med/High 
Tyre Degradation- High 
Time @ Full Throttle- 68%
Time Lost in Pitlane- 26 seconds 
Gear Changes- 36 per lap/2052 per race 
Pole Side- Left 
Tyre Compounds-
       Hard         Medium       Soft 
        C1               C2            C3

Minimum Starting
Tyre Pressures-     Front         Rear 
                             25.0psi      21.5psi

Maximum Tyre 
Camber-                Front         Rear
                             -2.75º        -1.50º  

Weekend Schedule

Track Stats 

Times Held- 1
First Held- 2021
Finishing Percentage- 90%
Pole Record- 1.20.827
Lap Record- 1.23.196 
Winners- 1
Pole Sitters- 1
Top 3 Finishers- 3
Most Driver Poles- HAM 1
Most Team Poles- Mercedes 1
Most Driver Wins- HAM 1 
Most Team Wins- Mercedes 1
Most Driver Podiums- HAM, VER & ALO 1
Most Team Podiums- Mercedes, Redbull       
                                        & Alpine 1
Times Wons From Pole- 1
Times Won From Front Row- 1
Lowest Starting
Position to Win- 1st HAM 2021 
Smallest Win Margin- 25.743 secs
Largest Win Margin- 25.743 secs 
​ 

Previous Results 

2021

Qualifying- 
                 1 HAM 1.20.827
                   2 VER 1.21.424
                     3 BOT 1.21.478
Race Result- 
                    1 HAM (2 stop)
                       2 VER (3 stop)
                         3 ALO(1 stop)
Fastest Lap- 1.23.196  VER Lap 57

Random Facts 

• Qatar is the 34th country to host a Formula 1 Grand Prix.
• Verstappen can win the world championship without even starting Sundays race. If he finishes the Saturday Sprint race in 6th or higher he wins the Championship regardless of where Perez finishes. 
• When it opened in 2004 the Lusail Circuit cost $58 million to build. 
• When F1 cars took to the track in 2021 they were 15.503 seconds faster than any series who has previously raced at the Lusail circuit.
• Alonso completed the 2021 race with just 1 pit stop and held on to take 3rd place despite a rapidly approaching Sergio Perez on much fresher tyres. 

Joanna Blackmore 
Writer @ F1 Journal