SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2023
Qatar ready to star
After a two-year break, Formula 1 heads back to the Lusail circuit to start a decade-long run. Ed Hardy looks ahead to the race
Qatar is one of six night grands prix this season, so expect sparks up and down the grid
Lusail International Circuit, Qatar, October 6-8
Formula 1 heads to Qatar after a two-year absence to kickstart its long-term future on the calendar. The event made its debut in 2021 before taking a sabbatical due to the FIFA World Cup. It’s now back for the start of a controversial 10-year contract, with Qatari officials labelling it as the new, annual ‘World Cup’.
Max Verstappen is expected to continue his unbelievable level of dominance, but the 2021 race wasn’t so straightforward for him. Not yet a world champion and in the midst of a mighty title fight with Lewis Hamilton, he rose from seventh to finish second behind the Mercedes driver. Fernando Alonso joined them on the podium, and there could easily be a repeat of that top three this year.