All three title contenders don't make the cut in FIA’s Qatar GP list

At the usual Thursday drivers’ press conference, taking place at 17:30 local time in Lusail (15:30 UK time), none of the three title contenders will be present. Instead, the first session will feature Oliver Bearman, Kimi Antonelli, and Liam Lawson.

The second group, scheduled for 18:00 local time (16:00 UK time), will include Lewis Hamilton, Nico Hülkenberg, and Carlos Sainz.

As for the team principals’ press conference on Friday at 18:30 local time (16:30 UK time), held between the sole practice session and the sprint qualifying, Mario Isola will represent Pirelli, while Frédéric Vasseur and Steve Nielsen will attend on behalf of Ferrari and Alpine.

The Losail weekend marks the penultimate round of the 2025 season and the final sprint event of the year, setting the stage ahead of the Abu Dhabi finale, which could once again decide the Drivers’ Championship—a scenario last seen in 2021.

All eyes will be on whether Max Verstappen can keep the title fight alive and push the battle to the final race, or if Lando Norris can seal the world championship this very weekend.

Keep an eye on the temperatures too, which in past years have heavily influenced both car performance and driver endurance—especially with the special rule returning this weekend requiring a mandatory double pit stop.