After a dramatic Sao Paulo Grand Prix weekend, Formula One concludes the final triple-header of 2021 with an inaugural trip to Losail Circuit for 2021 Qatar Grand Prix.
Max Verstappen comes into this round leading Lewis Hamilton in the title race with three rounds left of the season, meaning that everything is still to play for with a maximum of 78 points on offer across the last three races.
Mercedes meanwhile enter this race looking to extend their championship lead over Red Bull in the constructors’ battle and put their fate in their own hands heading into the final two races.
This weekend though marks the first Qatar Grand Prix in F1 so every team and driver is heading into the unknown, ahead of the race’s full-time return on the calendar from 2023 after being announced last month as an initial one-off replacement this season for the cancelled Australian Grand Prix.
Now here is everything that you need to know about the 2021 Qatar Grand Prix.
Track Guide
Circuit: Losail International Circuit
Laps: 57
Race Distance: 306.660km
Tyre Compounds: C1, C2 & C3
Schedule
| Date | Session | Time (GMT) |
| Friday 12 November | FP1 | 10:30pm |
| Friday 12 November | FP2 | 2:00pm |
| Saturday 20 November | FP3 | 11:00am |
| Saturday 20 November | Qualifying | 2:00pm |
| Sunday 21 November | Race | 3:00pm |
Six Key Pointers
- Losail is a new circuit for F1 so expect teams to be busy in Friday Practice focused on data gathering and understanding how the tyres work alongside optimising their set-ups.
- With FP1 and FP3 set to be held in daytime, timings in those sessions won’t be really relevant with FP2 and Qualifying providing accurate data for the race which takes place in the evening.
- Teams are expected to be greeted by a dusty track in FP1 which means track evolution could well be high throughout the weekend and crucial to timing of final flying laps in Qualifying.
- Losail is a high-speed circuit with quick corners and a super-long straight which should suit Mercedes and specifically Hamilton who has a fresh Internal Combustion Engine.
- Tyre degradation is predicted to be high so race strategies could well factor in the option of a two-stopper, especially with possibility of evening temperatures falling throughout the race.
- Possibility of high winds and sand breezing across the track the track will provide a test of car stability and grip.
If missed any of the 19 previous rounds of the 2021 season, please click on the links below to catch up on the missed action.