With just three races left in the 2021 season, teams and drivers have touched down in Doha for the inaugural Qatar Grand Prix.
Max Verstappen continues to lead the championship standings, but there are just 14 points between him and his closest rival Lewis Hamilton.
The battle for the title has been heating up since the beginning of the season, and now, everything is to play for as all drivers will race at the Losail Circuit for the first time.
So, here’s everything you need to know about the latest circuit to join the calendar:
The Circuit
2021 marks the first Formula One race to take place at the Losail Circuit in Doha before its 10-year partnership with the sport begins in 2023.
The main straight is just over one kilometre and marks the location of the circuit’s one and only DRS zone – making Turn one the best place for overtaking opportunities.
The drivers will race around the 5.38 km track for 71 laps for a total distance of 306.66 km.
Cars will reach an average speed of 237 km/h in qualifying and 220 km/h on race day, and since the track hasn’t been resurfaced since 2004, drivers will enjoy good grip and levels of abrasiveness in relation to tyre wear.
When/ Where to Watch
Free Practice 1 will take place on Friday at the Losail Circuit on November 19 at 10:30 am Irish time, with Free Practice 2 taking place hours later at 2:00 pm.
FP3 begins on Saturday, November 20, at 11:00 am and will be followed by Qualifying at 2:00 pm.
For the big day on Sunday, November 21, coverage will be on Sky and NOW with lights out at 2:00 pm.
You can catch live coverage of the entire 2021 season, every weekend on Sky Sports F1, or grab a NOW sports package.
Weather
According to Accuweather, there is zero chance of rain throughout the weekend with temperatures reaching 29 degrees celsius on Friday.
On Saturday temperatures remain high between 23 and 29 degrees and on Sunday they will increase more with highs of 31 degrees.
Championship Standings
| DRIVER | TEAM | POINTS |
|---|---|---|
| VER | RBR | 44 |
| PER | RBR | 43 |
| ALO | AMR | 30 |
| SAI | FER | 20 |
| HAM | MER | 20 |
| RUS | MER | 18 |
| STR | AMR | 8 |
| LEC | FER | 6 |
| BOT | ALR | 4 |
| OCO | ALP | 4 |
| GAS | ALP | 4 |
| MAG | HAS | 1 |
| ALB | WIL | 1 |
| TSU | SAT | 0 |
| HUL | HAS | 0 |
| SAR | WIL | 0 |
| ZHO | ALR | 0 |
| DEV | SAT | 0 |
| PIA | MCL | 0 |
| NOR | MCL | 0 |
| TEAM | POINTS |
|---|---|
| RED BULL | 87 |
| ASTON MARTIN | 38 |
| MERCEDES | 38 |
| FERRARI | 26 |
| ALPINE | 8 |
| ALFA ROMEO | 4 |
| WILLIAMS | 1 |
| HAAS | 1 |
| ALPHATAURI | 0 |
| MCLAREN | 0 |
