After Mexico and Brazil, Scuderia Ferrari Mission Winnow now heads for the Qatar Grand Prix, on the coast of the Arabian Peninsula, also bordering Saudi Arabia and the Persian Gulf. It will be the first time a Formula 1 Grand Prix has been held here. Qatar covers an area of just over 11,500 square kilometres, with a population of 2,800,000.
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The track. The track-only took a year to build, thanks to a workforce of around a thousand, at a cost of 58 million US dollars. It was inaugurated in 2004, staging that year’s MotoGP, the first such race to be held at night as from 2007 when a powerful 3600 floodlight system was installed. It is 5.380 kilometres in length, with the main straight measuring 1.068 kilometres. The track is surrounded by artificial grass to prevent sand from blowing onto it from the surrounding desert. The first corner is very important, as it requires very heavy braking before a quick section where it is important to carry speed before braking for turn 4, which marks the start of a section with more corners. A hairpin at turn 6 is the slowest point on the track and leads into the most technical part of the circuit. The complex of corners 12, 13 and 14 are taken as one turn, similar to the famous turn 8 at Istanbul Park. Turn 15 is a fairly quick right-hander before the final braking point on the lap. Here there is more than one possible line, which means overtaking is a possibility.
Programme. The race will take place at night so that all other sessions are later than usual in the day. The first free practice on Friday starts at 13.30 local (11.30 CET), with the second at 17 (15 CET). On Saturday, the final hour of preparation begins at 14 (12 CET) prior to qualifying at 17 (15 CET). The inaugural Qatar Grand Prix gets underway at 17 (15 CET).
Qatar Grand Prix: facts & figures
1. The number of current Formula 1 drivers who have raced at the Losail circuit. In February 2009, Sergio Perez took part in the two legs of the GP2 Asia championship. The Mexican won Race 1 and came second in Race 2, which was won by Nico Hülkenberg.