Losail track analysis: many uncertainties after two years of absence

The last time Formula 1 teams were in Qatar was in 2021 when Lewis Hamilton won the only Grand Prix held at the Losail International Circuit. The teams will face several additional challenges, including the new asphalt and limited data to rely on. Given the nature of the circuit, characterized by various high-speed corners, the teams will opt for a setup with medium to high downforce. The DRS will only be activated on the main straight, with the detection point located just before the final corner.

There are a total of 16 corners on the Losail circuit, with 9 of them being right turns. The circuit’s length is 5.419 kilometers, and the race distance to be covered on Sunday is 308.611 kilometers over 57 laps. Let’s now look at the critical points of the Qatar GP held at the Losail circuit in our track analysis.

Sector 1

The lap begins on the longest straight of the circuit, where drivers will reach the highest speeds, thanks to the use of DRS. At the braking point, the top speed is expected to be around 320 km/h. Approaching turn 1, drivers aim to brake at about 100 meters, slowing down to 150 km/h with a deceleration of around 4G. After exiting turn 1, they head into a left-hand hook with a slight banking. From here, it’s full throttle through a double right turn that concludes the first sector. The last two corners in this sequence involve slight braking to improve the car’s turn-in capabilities.

Sector 2

The second sector of the track starts with a sharp braking point at about 50 meters, reducing the car’s speed from approximately 260 km/h to just under 150 km/h. From here, it’s full throttle through the second fastest section of the circuit while avoiding track limits that could invalidate fast laps. Upon reaching turn 7, drivers will apply slight braking to ensure they maintain control through the following corners, which are taken almost flat out. A precise front end and a rear end capable of following it are crucial to instill confidence in the drivers. Continuing through the lap, they arrive at turn 10, a sweeping left-hand bend that could become a potential overtaking point under braking. This is followed by turn 11, a long left-hand corner that concludes the second sector.

Sector 3 – Track Analysis Losail Qatar

The last part of the circuit is the fastest of all. In the 2021 edition, corners 10 to 15 were taken mostly flat out, except for turn 15, which is slightly tighter. It’s unclear if the cars this year will be able to replicate the 2021 performance, but the significant evolution the track is expected to undergo may help.

Tire Compounds Chosen by Pirelli for the Losail Circuit in Qatar

As with the previous race in Japan, the Italian tire manufacturer has opted for the hardest compounds in its range for the Qatar race. This choice is due to the numerous sequences of medium-to-high-speed corners that exert considerable stress on the tires. The new asphalt may not offer very indicative feedback initially, but with the scheduled sessions, rubber will be laid down consistently, improving performance. With the selected tire compounds, there will be various strategic possibilities. In the final race of 2021, half of the drivers started with soft tires, while the others opted for medium compounds. A significant concern for the weekend is the possibility of sand blowing onto the track, which could significantly reduce the track’s grip. Additionally, temperatures will play a crucial role, as last week, the maximum temperatures reached 40°C.