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Formula One returns to the Middle East with six rounds remaining in the 2023 season and a return as well to the Lusail International Circuit for the Qatar Grand Prix, after it was missed last year for the FIFA World Cup. Tune in for live blog coverage from 3:50am (AEDT), right here on The Roar.
Another night race, Lusail has been known more for its hosting of the MotoGP for the last two decades, has signed on to be Qatar’s F1 venue for the next ten years. The 5.4km circuit is a technical challenge, with plenty of fast changes of direction.
With only a single grand prix held back in the stellar 2021 world championship, which saw Lewis Hamilton win, there isn’t a whole lot a reference to go off for the 57-lap race ahead of us.
High tyre wear is one of the significant factors when planning strategy for this race and despite Pirelli having brought its hardest compounds, there could be a three-stop race mandated by the FIA on safety grounds.
A dramatic Sprint race yesterday showed that the soft tyres fall away quickly, despite providing superior grip off the line and very early in a stint. Oscar Piastri from winning the Shootout to winning his first Sprint race in Formula One, ahead of Max Verstappen who secured the points needed to seal his third consecutive world championship.
Verstappen from pole for the main race looks the sure bet to convert, while the battle for the podium behind is where the focus will be on. Both McLarens, who could’ve started in the top four had their final fliers in Q3 deleted for track limits violations.
This promoted George Russell to the front-row, with teammate and seven-time world champion Hamilton in third. Though Mercedes in comparison to the McLarens are weaker on race pace, the same as the Silver Arrows are to Ferrari.
With the knowledge from the Sprint to go off, it will be an interesting strategic battle in the grand prix and a endurance test in tyre preservation. The DRS effect on the pit-straight as well has proved to be potent, so an interesting battle looms for the podium places behind Verstappen.
With the championship now done and dusted, it is all about the minor placings and the battle is hot.
Lights out: 4am (AEDT)
Venue: Lusail International Circuit, Qatar
TV: Fox Sports
Online: Kayo Sports
Grid
1. Max Verstappen (Red Bull), 2. George Russell (Mercedes), 3. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes), 4. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin), 5. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari), 6. Oscar Piastri (McLaren), 7. Pierre Gasly (Alpine), 8. Esteban Ocon (Alpine), 9. Valtteri Bottas (Alfa Romeo), 10. Lando Norris (McLaren), 11. Yuki Tsunoda (AlphaTauri), 12. Carlos Sainz (Ferrari), 13. Sergio Perez (Red Bull), 14. Alexander Albon (Williams), 15. Nico Hülkenberg (Haas), 16. Logan Sargeant (Williams), 17. Lance Stroll (Aston Martin), 18. Liam Lawson (AlphaTauri), 19. Kevin Magnussen (Haas), 20. Guanyu Zhou (Alfa Romeo)
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