The 2025 Formula 1 season heads to Doha for Round 23 — the Qatar Grand Prix — the penultimate race of the year and the final sprint weekend of the campaign. The title fight tightened dramatically after both McLaren drivers, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, were disqualified from the Las Vegas Grand Prix for technical infringements, leaving the championship delicately poised with two rounds remaining.
Skid block wear on both McLaren cars was found to be below the minimum depth, with the ruling wiping out the team’s strong points haul from Las Vegas. As a result, Norris now leads both Piastri and Max Verstappen by just 24 points heading into a pivotal weekend at the Lusail International Circuit.
Race and Session Times (GMT)
Qatar hosts the final sprint format of the season, increasing the stakes ahead of the championship’s climax.
Friday, 28 November:
First Practice: 13:30–14:30
Sprint Qualifying: 17:30–18:15
Saturday, 29 November:
Sprint: 14:00–15:00
Qualifying: 18:00–19:00
Sunday, 30 November:
Race: 16:00
Weather Forecast
Doha is set for clear, stable conditions throughout the weekend. Temperatures are expected to sit between 23°C and 24°C for both Saturday’s qualifying session and Sunday’s Grand Prix, with dry conditions and a gentle breeze providing a consistent backdrop for the title contenders.
Championship Picture
Norris can clinch the championship this weekend — but only in Sunday’s Grand Prix. The Briton leads the standings by 24 points over both Piastri and Verstappen, with 58 points still available across the final two rounds.
To seal the title in Qatar, Norris must outscore both rivals by at least two points over the course of the weekend. The sprint race alone is not enough to decide the championship, but it could shape the grid and add pressure heading into Sunday’s showdown.
What to Expect
The 5.4km Lusail International Circuit offers a mix of fast, flowing corners and a long main straight, rewarding aerodynamic efficiency and strong front-end grip. With stable weather and the sprint format in play, every session will matter as teams look to optimise setup and tyre strategy across a busy three-day schedule.
With McLaren seeking to recover from the setbacks of Las Vegas, Piastri and Verstappen hunting for momentum, and Norris aiming to reach the brink of a maiden world title, Qatar sets the stage for a crucial weekend in one of the closest championship battles in years.
