Article

To news overview © XPBimages

Round 23 of the F1 season takes place in Qatar this weekend, as the Lusail International Circuit hosts the penultimate event of the campaign.

Lando Norris enters the weekend with a chance to clinch the drivers' championship despite the painful McLaren double DNF in Las Vegas last weekend.

Qatar joined the F1 schedule in 2021, but perhaps the most famous event of the lot occurred in 2023 when drivers were subject to challenging conditions.

The hot temperatures, mixed with the high pace of the race due to the maximum tyre stints imposed, resulted in many drivers feeling unwell during and after the grand prix.

Conditions this year are not set to be as dramatic as then, with lower temperatures forecast throughout the event.

On Friday, FP1 and sprint qualifying are set to take place in 26°C and 22°C respectively, with a light-to-moderate northerly wind in the afternoon.

Saturday's track action will kick off with the sprint race in 25°C heat, with light-to-moderate northerly wind with gusts up to 25 to 30 km/h predicted. Qualifying for the grand prix is set to take place in 21°C heat.

The final day of running will see the grand prix take place, with 21°C - 22°C forecast, with a mild north-to-northeasterly wind expected after a sunny and dry day.

Also interesting:

Join RacingNews365's Ian Parkes, Sam Coop and Nick Golding, as they look back on the Las Vegas GP but also look ahead to Qatar. McLaren's double disqualification is a major talking point, as is whether Max Verstappen should now believe he can win the title.

Rather watch the podcast? Then click here!

Get the latest F1 news from RacingNews365 directly in your Google feed! Click on the link below and you’ll see your favourite F1 website appearing even more often. That way, you’ll never miss any news, analyses, interviews, or exclusives.

Follow RacingNews365 on Google

Most read

Daniel Ricciardo confirms paddock return: 'It's going to really hit me hard'

Charles Leclerc makes eye-watering multi-million dollar purchase

Max Verstappen handed Ferrari advice as Charles Leclerc has strange reaction - RacingNews365 Review

2026 WEC Six Hours of Spa-Francorchamps - results

Oscar Piastri voices surprise at latest Red Bull development

Throwback

Three of F1 greatest heroes share podium for first and only time

Max Verstappen told to ignore Mercedes: 'Ferrari a more comfortable fit'

Choose RacingNews365 as your preferred Google source!

F1 fans deliver bleak decision over Ferrari title hopes

Franco Colapinto 'very surprised' by Lionel Messi F1 question

In this article

Join the conversation!

Never miss a thing from the Formula 1 season! Add the 2026 F1 schedule to your calendar at the touch of a button. Subscribe below and put the dates and times of every race directly on your PC or smartphone, so you don't miss a second from the new season.

Download the F1 calendar Download the F1 calendar

A variant with just the race and qualifying is also available.
Click here to download it..