HONDA The Power of Dreams

Lusail International Circuit, located north of Doha, the capital of Qatar, was originally built to host motorcycle Grand Prix racing. The venue first joined the FIA Formula One World Championship™ calendar in 2021 as part of a revised schedule during the COVID-19 pandemic and became a permanent fixture on the calendar from 2023 onward.

The race was not held in 2022 due to the FIFA World Cup being hosted in Qatar. However, a 10-year agreement was subsequently signed, securing the event’s place on the calendar from 2023 and establishing it as a key component of Formula 1’s expansion strategy in the Middle East.

The Qatar motorcycle Grand Prix has been held at Lusail since 2004. Following the example set by MotoGP, which moved to night racing to avoid the intense daytime heat, the Qatar Grand Prix was run as a twilight race in 2021 before becoming a full night race from 2023.

Designed primarily for motorcycle racing, Lusail International Circuit differs significantly from the stop-and-go layouts commonly found on the Formula 1 calendar. Instead, it features a flowing sequence of medium- and high-speed corners that place a premium on aerodynamic efficiency and driver commitment.

The main straight, measuring over one kilometer in length, leads into the right-handed Turn 1, which serves as the circuit’s primary overtaking opportunity. Beyond that point, there are few long straights, with the layout consisting largely of sweeping high-speed bends interspersed with relatively tight corners.

One of the circuit’s defining features is the sequence of fast right-handers from Turns 12 to 14 near the end of the lap. Drivers negotiate this section at speeds exceeding 250 km/h, sustaining high lateral G-forces for an extended period. The demanding nature of these corners places significant stress on both drivers and tires. Turn 16, the final corner, is equally important, as a clean exit is essential for maximizing speed along the main straight.

Lusail is widely regarded as one of the most tire-demanding circuits on the calendar. The abundance of high-speed corners—particularly right-handers—places exceptional stress on the left-front tire. The circuit’s desert location also means sand can blow onto the track surface, reducing grip and further increasing tire wear.

During the 2023 event, concerns arose over tire damage caused by the circuit’s kerbs. To ensure safety, Formula 1 imposed an unprecedented restriction during the race, limiting each tire set to a maximum of 18 laps.

The Qatar Grand Prix is also known for the physical demands it places on drivers. Hot and humid conditions significantly increase fatigue levels, and during the 2023 event several drivers reported symptoms of dehydration and heat exhaustion after the race. As a result, the Qatar Grand Prix has earned a reputation as one of the most physically demanding events on the F1 calendar.

The combination of fast corners and a long main straight places great emphasis on aerodynamic performance and power unit efficiency. As a result, the circuit has suited Max Verstappen and Red Bull, with Honda contributing through its power unit technical partnership. Verstappen has won three consecutive Qatar Grands Prix since 2023.

The 2023 event was held under the Sprint format and became notable for its championship implications. Verstappen secured second place in the Sprint race, which was enough to clinch his third consecutive FIA Formula One World Championship™ title.

It marked the first time since the Sprint format was introduced in 2021 that a World Championship had been decided during a Sprint event rather than in a Grand Prix itself.

Fastest pole position lap

1 min 19.387s
Oscar Piastri (McLaren Mercedes, 2025)

Fastest Honda qualifying lap

1 min 19.651s
Max Verstappen (Red Bull Honda RBPT, 2025)

Fastest race lap

1 min 22.384s
Lando Norris (McLaren Mercedes, 2024)

Fastest Honda race lap

1 min 22.905s
Max Verstappen (Red Bull Honda RBPT, 2024)

* Data based on the 5.419 km circuit configuration.