Qatar Grand Prix
Sun, Nov 29, 2026 4:00 PM UTC
Weekend write-up
A night race in Doha heat on a bike circuit that wears tyres out, the 25-lap limit that forced two stops in 2025, and how Verstappen won from third while McLaren stayed out.
Circuit guide
Lusail International Circuit
Lusail, Qatar
Lusail is a fast, flowing circuit originally built for motorcycle racing, which shows in its wide, sweeping corners and near-total absence of slow sections. It is run at night and remains punishingly hot even after dark.
- Track type
- Permanent (night)
- Overtaking
- Moderate
- Upset risk
- Medium
What the lap demands
An almost continuous sequence of medium and high-speed corners with very little straight-line respite. That loads the tyres heavily and without a break, and aggressive kerbs add to the stress.
How the racing unfolds
The high-speed nature makes following difficult, though the main straight offers a passing opportunity. The bigger factor is that tyre life is severely limited here, which forces teams into more pit stops than they would otherwise choose and can compress or spread the field artificially. Races here are frequently decided by who can complete a stint without falling off a performance cliff rather than by outright pace.
Picking a Top 5 here
Tyre management dominates and the physical demands on drivers are extreme. A quick car that cannot look after its tyres will not convert here. The grid is a moderate guide at best; race pace over a stint is the better signal.
Weekend schedule
UTCNot yet open
Predictions for this race will open after the previous race is complete.
Predictions open Sun, Nov 22 at 4:00 AM