CIRCUIT DIAGRAM

Click the image for a larger version of the circuit map

DETAILS

Losail Circuit

Losail International Circuit
PO Box 8708
Dohar
Qatar
Qatar

Tel: +974 4379 788

Fax:

Official website:

STATISTICS (PRIOR TO 2026)

Length:

5.367km (3.335miles)

Race laps:

2025 winner:

Max Verstappen (Red Bull)

Configuration:

Clockwise

First GP:

2021

Lap record:

1:22.384 (Lando Norris, McLaren 2024)

Type:

Permanent Road Course

Total races:

BIOGRAPHY

In much the same way that Liberty Media wanted to expand the sport in its backyard, so too the Arab nations saw an opportunity, and with plenty of folding green stuff F1 was only too happy to oblige.

In 2018, the sport's technical boss, Ross Brawn dismissed talk of a Saudi Grand Prix, insisting that human rights issues and ongoing conflicts made it impossible. In December 2021, the Jeddah Corniche circuit hosted the maiden Saudi Grand Prix, the penultimate race on the calendar.

Keen to get on board Qatar made its bid for a Grand Prix and despite objections from the likes of Amnesty International the first race was organised for 2021 as the sport still struggled to put a schedule together in the wake of the pandemic.

In September 2021 it was announced that the Losail circuit would hold the penultimate round of the season, with a 10-year deal agreed from 2023.

"For decades Formula One has worked hard to be a positive force everywhere it races, including economic, social, and cultural benefits," said F1 in defence of its decision to host a race in the country. "Sports like Formula One are uniquely positioned to cross borders and cultures to bring countries and communities together to share the passion and excitement of incredible competition and achievement. We take our responsibilities on rights very seriously and set high ethical standards for counter parties and those in our supply chain, which are enshrined in contracts, and we pay close attention to their adherence."

The sport had made similar claims about the Saudi Grand Prix.

There was no race in 2022, as the FIFA World Cup was being held in Qatar between November and December.

Built in just under a year, the Losail circuit first opened in 2004, and in 2007 permanent outdoor lighting was added for night races. At the time, the Losail circuit was the largest permanent venue sports lighting project in the world, though this distinction was subsequently claimed by the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi.

The track is 3.343 miles in length, with a main straight of just over 0.664 miles, it is surrounded by artificial grass to prevent sand encroaching on the track.

The first night race in MotoGP history was the Commercialbank Grand Prix of Qatar in March 2008, while in February 2009, a GP2 Asia Series night time race took place. WSBK visited Losail between 2005 - 2009 and 2014 - 2019; and the WTCC between 2015 - 2017. In 2024, the World Endurance Championship hosted its season opener at Losail, in addition to the championship's pre-season testing sessions.

Ahead of the second running of the F1 Grand Prix in 2023, the circuit was renovated, its facilities upgraded, and the capacity increased from 8,000 to 52,000.

Losail Circuit

CIRCUIT DIAGRAM

DETAILS

Losail Circuit

STATISTICS (PRIOR TO 2026)

BIOGRAPHY

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