Qatar has been making efforts in recent years to increase its presence on the global stage. In addition to hosting the 2022 FIFA World Cup, the country also organizes the Qatar Grand Prix. The Qataris didn’t need to build a completely new circuit for this, as the race takes place at the existing Losail International Circuit.

This circuit already holds a Grade 1 license, and MotoGP has been held here since 2004. The layout of the Qatari circuit has some similarities to the Bahrain Circuit. Both have a long straight, although the Losail International Circuit features a slower middle sector with many corners. The final sector, however, is much faster.

The first press conferences are planned for Thursday November 27. FP1 and Sprint Qualifying will take place one day later, on November 28. Saturday November 29 will feature the Sprint Race before Grand Prix Qualifying, finally, on Sunday November 30 it is time for the Qatar Grand Prix.

The Qatar GP can be followed live on GPblog an hour before each session. As with all other Grands Prix, the race will be broadcast live on Sky Sports and F1TV Pro, as well as qualifying and free practice sessions.

Track time

Free Practice 1: Friday, November 28 16:30-17:30

Sprint Qualifying: Friday, November 28 20:30-21:14

Sprint Race: Saturday, November 29 17.00-18:00

Qualifying: Saturday, November 29 21:00-22:00

Race: Sunday, November 30 19:00-17.00

CET

Free Practice 1: Friday, November 28 14:30-15:30

Sprint Qualifying: Friday, November 28 18:30-19:14

Sprint Race: Saturday, November 29 15.00-16:00

Qualifying: Saturday, November 29 19:00-20:00

Race: Sunday, November 30 17:00-19.00

The Qatar Grand Prix is the twenty-third race on the 2025 F1 calendar – after the Las Vegas GP and before the Abu-Dhabi GP. View the full 2025 F1 calendar here.

In 2025, Formula 1 will once again be broadcast in the UK by Sky Sports. All F1 sessions across the weekend will be available on their broadcasting channel, with live commentary by David Croft and ex-F1 driver Martin Brundle. Sky Sports will also provide pre- and post-race coverage of qualifying and the Grand Prix.

Another option to watch Formula 1 live is through F1TV Pro, the official streaming service of Formula 1. F1TV Pro broadcasts all the sessions from the Qatar GP live, and viewers have the ability to choose their preferred commentators as well.

In 2024, Red Bull was struggling with their car performance. In the Sprint, Verstapen just about grabbed points in eighth place, Piastri won the event. Later that day, the Red Bull driver somehow managed to claim a pole position. He did, however, receive a penalty for blocking George Russell and was demoted down into second. Russell started the race from pole, but immediately lost the lead to the Dutchman. McLaren’s Lando Norris also managed to pass his fellow countryman. Shortly after, a huge incident involving Ocon, Colapinto, Stroll, and Albon, only Alex Albon carried on with his race with massive damage to his Williams. After the Safety Car period a battle between Norris and Verstappen commenced for the lead. This was interrupted when Albon lost the right mirror on his car, which brought out a yellow flag in which the McLaren driver did not lift off. He was punished with a 20-second stop-and-go penalty and taken out of contention. Unluckily, Bottas crushed the mirror as he drove over it causing many driver to pop a tire on the little pieces of carbon that were scattered along the track. Ultimately, Norris finished in tenth because of all the interruptions. Verstappen took victory ahead of Leclerc and Piastri.

Lewis Hamilton won the inaugural race at the Losail International Circuit in 2021, ever since that race the Brit has been unable to reach the podium in Qatar. In fact, he has been unable to even secure points in his appearances in 2023 and 2024.