Formula 1 2025 Round 23: Qatar Preview

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.

What other fans say about us

Rated 4.6 / 5

Based on 5,187 reviews

Great communication throughout, especially in the final days before the event.
S. K.
Good overall experience, just wish the site made delivery timing clearer upfront.
R. M.
Got in touch with a question and had a genuinely helpful reply within the hour.
S. T.
The seats were solid value and the whole transaction felt legitimate throughout.
H. F.
Booked at the last minute out of curiosity and ended up thoroughly impressed.
I. P.
Support helped clarify the guarantee before I bought, which made the decision easy.
A. H.
No complaints — tickets arrived, seats were good, and entry was smooth.
I. R.
This was my first time trusting a resale site and it went better than expected.
C. B.
Appreciated the proactive updates leading up to the event, took away all the guesswork.
Y. B.
The team resolved a payment question quickly and clearly, no back and forth needed.
C.
Everything about the booking felt secure, right down to the confirmation details.
M. G.
Got tickets for a group trip and the coordination on delivery was handled well.
M. Q.
Support answered honestly when I asked what happens if something goes wrong with an order.
P. Z.
Really smooth first-time experience, would use again without a second thought.
J. C.
The seats exceeded expectations and the whole process felt worth the price.
C. M.
Slight delay in getting a reply to my first message, but the follow-up was thorough.
M. M. D.
Booked as a surprise gift and the fast delivery meant the surprise stayed intact.
J.
No issues at the entrance, and the whole booking process was refreshingly simple.
B. Z.
Booked on a whim during a lunch break and had confirmation before I'd finished eating.
C. F.
The whole experience felt looked after from start to finish, exactly what you want from a first booking.
P. V.