The Qatar Grand Prix made its Formula 1 debut in 2021, filling a last-minute gap in the pandemic-affected calendar. It was held at the Losail International Circuit, a venue primarily known for hosting MotoGP events.

• Despite being a late addition, the race delivered solid wheel-to-wheel action

• Lewis Hamilton won the inaugural race, keeping his 2021 title hopes alive

• The strong debut led to a 10-year contract starting in 2023, making Qatar a permanent fixture in F1’s Middle East expansion strategy

Strategic and Technical Insights

• Tire management is critical — long, high-speed corners wear tires rapidly

• Track limits at Turns 12–13 are strictly policed, with many lap times deleted

• Late-night start times reduce ambient temperature but don’t eliminate the intense physical load

• Overtaking is possible with DRS, but qualifying position still holds significant weight