With two races to go, the 2025 FIA Formula One World Championship lands in the Persian Gulf for the Qatar Grand Prix, with just 24 points separating McLaren’s Lando Norris from Drivers’ title contenders Oscar Piastri (teammate) and Red Bull Racing Max Verstappen.
The final F1 Sprint race weekend of the season will take place at the Lusail International Circuit, a permanent racetrack spanning 5.419km (3.367 mi) and featuring a sequence of flat-out straights and medium-high speed corners (16 turns overall) over 57 laps.
Since last year, the night race has been held in November rather than October, in a bid to help tackle the high temperatures and humidity levels.
New this season, Pirelli, Formula One’s official tire supplier, has confirmed that due to the highly demanding track in terms of energy, lateral forces, and severe tread wear, each tire set has been restricted to a maximum of 25 laps across the racing weekend, including laps run under the Safety Car or Virtual Safety Car.
Therefore, the drivers will have to make at least two pit stops throughout the 57-lap race.
There are no mandatory pit stops during the F1 Sprint, covering 100km (62mi).
Regarding circuit upgrades for the upcoming venue, the FIA informed that an additional gravel strip has been added at the exit of Turn 6, at Turn 10 on the right-hand side, and at the exit of Turn 16.
Also, the gravel strip at the exit of Turn 14 now begins earlier.
All Eyes on the Title
Verstappen’s hunt for a fifth Formula 1 world championship has seen him erase his 104-point deficit to former championship leader Piastri since the summer break, remaining in contention against the odds.
Following wins in Italy, Azerbaijan, the United States, and Las Vegas (previously won in Japan and Emilia-Romagna), the defending champion closed the gap, leaving them tied at 366 points.
Moreover, outclassed by Norris, who leads with 390 points, the Australian driver, like Verstappen, is keeping his hopes alive.
“There is still a chance, and I want to try and finish the year on a high if I can,” said Piastri, speaking to F1 media.
Adding: “A hunter has to be ruthless, I guess… I am just trying to get the best performance I can out of myself.”
All in all, 33 points are on the line this weekend in Qatar.
On Sunday, the 26-year-old Brit has a real chance to win a maiden F1 crown at the Lusail circuit, a track where overtaking is tricky.
If he earns two points over both Verstappen and Piastri throughout the weekend or only one (if he wins the race), then he can become the new champion.
Both McLaren drivers were disqualified from the Las Vegas Grand Prix for technical infringements, as the FIA found the plank assembly thickness was below the minimum permitted.
Onto another exciting Formula One weekend under the lights.