Qatar welcomes F1 family, racing fans to Lusail Circuit Sports Club

DOHA, Qatar – The long wait is finally over for racing fans in Qatar as the biggest motor racing event in the country’s history is set to take place this weekend. 

Seven-time World Champion Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes and points leader this season Max Verstappen of Red Bull will lead the star cast at FORMULA 1 OOREDOO QATAR GRAND PRIX 2021. 

The iconic 5.38-km Lusail Circuit Sports Club (LCSC) will host the 20th round of the F1 World Championship winding down to a close. 

With Hamilton coming off a stunning win on Sunday at the Sao Paolo Grand Prix, the Mercedes star will look to continue his winning form and points fight with second-placed Verstappen when the two F1 giants draw battle lines at LCSC on November 21. 

On Sunday, despite starting on the 10th grid, Hamilton recorded his 101st career win and narrowed down this year’s title race to just 14 points against leader Verstappen.  

With the points battle going down to the wire between Verstappen and Hamilton, Qatar is abuzz with excitement as organisers put final touches to their large scale preparation at LCSC, venue which has been hosting MotoGP and WorldSBK races since 2004.

The premier racing event comes to Qatar with the biggest air and sea freight operation undertaken to move the F1 cargo from Sao Paolo to Doha. Around 260 freight containers have been charted to arrive in Doha for the Nov 19-21 spectacle. Most of the containers have landed with more – after the Sao Paolo Grand Prix on Sunday – will arrive in the next two days. 

Just six weeks ago when it was confirmed that Qatar will host the Grand Prix, event organisers Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation and LCSC have set the stage for what would be a spectacular event at the imposing racing venue. 

On Friday, NBA stars Tracy McGrady and Jalen Rose visited the LCSC in the company of QMMF President Abdulrahman Al Mannai and QMMF Executive Director Amro Al Hamad. 

Earlier in the week, Qatar’s three-time Dakar Rally winner Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah joined World and Olympic high jump champion compatriot Mutaz Barshim to drive around the circuit while promoting the event. Both are scheduled to attend race weekend activities. 

A record crowd is expected to be part of the race action weekend starting on Friday when the F1 drivers roll out their cars for free practice sessions on November 19. The next day is reserved for Official Qualifying while the race takes place at 5:00 pm Qatar Standard Time on Sunday. 

Organisers have confirmed that the venue is almost sold out for all three days of action but for handful seats that are available. Those wanting to catch the drivers in action, must hurry and purchase the remaining empty seats using the club website https://tickets.circuitlosail.com 

Not just the on-track action, the visiting fans will be entertained by an air show (all three days), and live music shows conducted by world-renowned DJs and artists. Food courts inside the venue will whet the appetite of every visitor, young or old, while F1 merchandising outlets will be open for business much earlier than the start of the race action on track. 

Organisers have urged the ticket holders to plan their journey to the venue well in advance. The fans have also been informed that MOPH’s COVID-19 rules and regulations will be strictly enforced at the venue from the moment they arrive at the entry points. 

All fans will have to wear a mask while seated in the grandstands in all corners of the venue.