Qatar – too hot to handle

by David&Michelle · October 22, 2023

Qatar is hot, very hot. Fortunately, there is an amazing metro system that is fully air conditioned and very cheap. A lot of the infrastructure for the recent football world cup is still in place, including lots of brand new stadiums that are not used. Like most of the middle Eastern countries we have been to, Qatar is full of very large malls. Doha boasts a corniche and a waterfront that looks beautiful at night with all the city buildings lit up. There is a traditional souk, which has been rebuilt from the original. It is large, clean and full of restaurants and shops but very sanitised compared to the souks in Saudi and Morocco.

Now to the race! We were fortunate to get grandstand tickets on the main straight of the Lusail International Circuit. The view was great. The grandstand had a roof which was a huge blessing in the 40 degree heat with very hot wind! It was also a sprint weekend, so lots of action ahead.

Michelle and I were very fortunate to be picked out by the Happiness Programme who chose six fans and basically gave us VIP paddock passes!!! Amazing experience to be able to go into the paddock and witness the drivers talking to the media after their qualifying races. We got very close to Alonso, Piastri and Carlos Sainz. We also got to into pits while the crews are working on their cars, even met up with Christian Horner (who was a little bemused at us being there with Ferrari shirts). To have been in the garages with the cars just a couple of hours before Sprint race was incredible. To be in the Red Bull garage next to Max’s car hours before he won his third World Grand Prix Championship was very special indeed. It was an exceptional day, one we would never have been able to experience without the generosity of the Happiness Programme. Thanks.

The racing did not disappoint with lots of racing for the sprint qualifiers throwing up a very unusual sprint race starting grid. Both McLarens were ahead of Verstappen and even more amazing is that Piastri out performed Norris! So Verstappen is third followed by Russel and the two Ferraris. Hamilton could only make 12th and Lawson a respectable 14th. The scene is set for a very different Sprint race. With track limits being a big problem for all the drivers as well as the heat and humidity, the short sprint race was about tyre selection and flags – yellow or red.

As it turned out, those drivers who opted for medium tyres had the advantage. Russell and the Ferraris had an initial charge on the soft but fell away later in the 19 lap race. The race had three safety car incidents with Liam, Sargeant and Ocon/Hulkemberg all going off at various times. Lewis who started on 12th had a huge race and came in 5th but the big news was Piastri winning his first F1 race ahead of Verstappen. Norris was third and has yet to win a F1 race, followed by Russell and Hamilton. The Mclarens are looking good, as are the Mercedes who, again, looked better on race day than in qualies! A great Sprint race and so wonderful for Piastri to get a win. Verstappen obtained the points needed to become world champion for the third time. There were fireworks and much celebrating even though the Grand Prix race is still to come the following day.

The qualifiers for the main race (Grand Prix) was very exciting as track limits were knocking great times off the board! Both McLarens had great track times deleted and this changed the picture for the main race grid! First was Verstappen followed by both the Mercedes, then Alonso, LeClerc and Piastri. What are Mercedes going to do?

The Pirelli tyres were, like the drivers, struggling with the Qatar race conditions, so much so that a mandatory 18 lap limit was placed on any tyre used. This meant that each car would require at least a three stop plan for the race as well as using at least two different types of tyre. This was going to be fun – lots of strategy involved in this one!!

The race was amazing with a massive incident on the first corner where, uncharacteristically, Hamilton made a lunge for the corner and took out Russell! Hamilton was gone and Russell ended up at the back. Horror from the crowd! The race saw amazing pit-stop changes and loads of overtaking and under-cutting. It was chess on wheels! Verstappen drove a magnificent race and managed his tyres brilliantly. The Red Bull car is not only much quicker but also handles their tyres much better at the same time! Max won the race, followed by Piastri and Norris. Russell did an amazing job getting back up to 5th and deserved Driver of the Day. Overall another amazing race.

After the race it was revealed how many of the drivers were suffering in the severe temperatures of the race. Sargeant retired early due to heat exhaustion and had to be helped out of the car, Albon was vomiting in his helmet and Stroll was passing out whilst driving. Surely the time has come to stop racing in such extreme conditions?