As the Middle East prepares to welcome the fast-paced, adrenaline-pumping sport of Formula 1 back to Qatar’s Lusail International Circuit, world champion Max Verstappen seeks to extend his impressive record in the region.
The Dutchman has already tasted success in Abu Dhabi (2020, 2021 and 2022), Bahrain (2023), and Saudi Arabia (2022), and his dominant form so far in 2023 suggests he may add Qatar to that list on October 8.
On his last visit to the Lusail International Circuit in 2021, Verstappen blasted to a lap record of one minute 23.196 seconds for the 5.38km circuit, but he had to settle for second place as Britain’s Lewis Hamilton took the checkered flag in the first ever FORMULA 1 QATAR AIRWAYS QATAR GRAND PRIX.
Verstappen has become an expert at not only winning races but also producing exceptionally fast laps. But what does it take to produce the perfect lap? Amro Al Hamad, CEO of Lusail International Circuit, explains: “To achieve the best possible lap time, drivers need to push their car and themselves to the limit.
“In F1, everything needs to come together to turn a good lap into a great one. The smallest of mistakes can ruin a driver’s chances as the margins are so tight, so it requires around one-and-a-half minutes of perfection. Every aspect of the driver’s and car’s performance needs to be of the highest quality.
“Having a clear track in front of you obviously makes a big difference. If you haven’t, then how you negotiate the traffic will probably dictate whether you produce a good lap or a great one. The best drivers know when to be patient and when to take calculated risks to overtake slower cars, and ultimately it can make a significant difference to lap times.
“Time can be won or lost on the corners, so getting it right is crucial. At Lusail International Circuit, there are 16 turns – 10 right and six left – and getting the braking right, maintaining high speed through the corners, finding the optimal racing line, and accelerating early and smoothly after a turn will all be important factors in producing the perfect lap.
“Great drivers have the ability, and nerve, to brake as late as possible without overshooting the corner, and they are experts at maximizing speed into and out of turns. If you get it wrong, and suffer wheel spin, you may not only lose time but also a position or two. But cornering to perfection is not just about driving ability; a driver needs to know his car inside out to understand how to maneuver it to its maximum potential.
“There are also factors beyond a driver’s control, such as changing track conditions due to the weather or tire degradation. Maintaining your tires during the race and finding the optimal temperature range to help avoid excessive wear can be the difference between a race being won or lost.”
Tickets for the FORMULA 1 QATAR AIRWAYS QATAR GRAND PRIX are selling fast, but fans can still get their hands on tickets for remaining select categories for the event. Head to https://tickets.lcsc.qa/ for more information.