Teams and drivers have a weekend to relax before the battle continues on the ground in Qatar in a few weeks time.
Max Verstappen currently leads the championship with just five races to go after an epic fight to the line at the United States Grand Prix.
The victor was anyone’s best guess last time out as the championship’s closest rivals traded the lead numerous times throughout the race – however, Red Bull’s impeccable strategy ensured the win for the Milton Keynes team.
The championship will be heading to the Losail International Circuit for the third last race of 2021 – for the first time in F1 history – and local organisers have confirmed that one popular Formula One tradition will have to be abandoned due to a culture conflict.
Abdulrahman Al Mannai, president of the Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation, told AFP there will be no champagne on the stage.
“We have our own values and culture, and we respect the culture of others,” Mannai continued.
“We will not use champagne or alcohol during the podium but will use an alternative to celebrate the podium for the drivers.”
The Losail International Circuit is located on the outskirts of the capital city of Doha, and was built in just over a year.
The 5.4km track is a “fast and flowing track, where medium- and high-speed corners predominate,” according to F1 officials.
More than one kilometre of the track’s total length is a long main straight, allowing for plenty of overtaking opportunities into Turn 1.
2021 represents the first time Qatar has ever hosted the FIA Formula One World Championship, but they will continue to feature on the calendar long into the future after signing an additional 10-year deal which takes effect from 2023.
