Qatar Grand Prix
The Qatar Grand Prix 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 will rejoin the calendar in 2023 under a 10-year contract. The race was established as the fourth full night race on the Formula One calendar, following the Singapore, Bahrain and Sakhir Grands Prix.
| Lusail International Circuit | |
 | |
| Race information | |
|---|---|
| Number of times held | 1 |
| First held | 2021 |
| Most wins (drivers) |  Lewis Hamilton (1) |
| Most wins (constructors) |  Mercedes (1) |
| Circuit length | 5.418 km (3.367 miles) |
| Race length | 308.826 km (191.895 miles) |
| Laps | 57 |
| Last race (2021) | |
| Pole position | |
| |
| Podium | |
| |
| Fastest lap | |
| |
History
Origin
The 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
The 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]
2023
After a one year absence in 2022, due to the 2022 FIFA World Cup being staged in Qatar between November and December, the Qatar Grand Prix will return to the calendar on a 10-year contract from 2023. A new purpose-built circuit was initially proposed for the 2023 race,[4] before being retained in Lusail.[5]
Sportswashing criticism
The Grand Prix has received criticism from Amnesty International on the grounds of human rights in Qatar.[6]
Winners
By year
The Qatar Grand Prix was held at the Lusail International Circuit.
| Year | Driver | Constructor | Report |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Lewis Hamilton |
Mercedes | Report |
| Source:[7] | |||
References
- 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.
- 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, originally planned to be moved to a new purpose-built circuit in the planning stages, before being retained in Lusail.
- "F1 announces 24-race calendar for 2023". Formula1.com. 20 September 2022. Archived from the original on 23 September 2022. Retrieved 20 September 2022.
- "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.
- "Qatar GP". ChicaneF1. Archived from the original on 5 December 2021. Retrieved 5 December 2021.