This weekend the first-ever Qatar Grand Prix will be held at the Losail International Circuit. Because Formula 1 has never raced at this circuit before there is still a lot of uncertainty about what the drivers can expect. The organiser of the Grand Prix is expecting a lot of exciting spectacle.
Nobody has data on Qatar
"Nobody has data here, nobody has driven here before. That's going to add a lot," Amro Al-Hamad, chief motorsport officer in Qatar, is at Motorsport.com positive about this coming weekend. "Every minute in practice is going to make a difference because they still don't know what kind of set-up they need for all their chassis."
There are fears that overtaking will be difficult at the track due to the technical middle sector that requires a lot of downforce. Al-Hamad, however, contradicts that. "I know that there is going to be a lot of overtaking, against all the speculation that this is some kind of straight-line circuit, which it is not."
Strategy extra important
According to Al-Hamad, strategy is also going to be extra important this weekend. "It's a very fast circuit, or a flowing circuit with a few opportunities to overtake. It's very technical. It needs a lot of downforce. There are a lot of strategies that are going to play a role in tyre wear here as well."
Qatar was added to the calendar this season to replace the cancelled Australian Grand Prix, but the circuit now has a ten-year deal with Formula One starting in 2023. In addition, the country wants to attract more major motorsport events. "The fact that Formula One is here will certainly attract a lot of attention and put us back in the spotlight," he said.