Welcome to the Qatar F1 24 Track Guide!
Discover how to master the Qatar Grand Prix circuit, officially known as the Lusail International Circuit. This guide will provide a detailed breakdown of each sector, corner-by-corner tips, previous pole lap benchmarks, and essential car setup advice. Famous for its high-speed flowing corners, strategic layout, and unique challenges, Qatar is one of the most thrilling circuits on the Formula 1 calendar. Whether you’re a seasoned sim racer or just getting started, this guide will help you conquer the fast-paced Qatar Grand Prix track.
Circuit Overview
- Location: Lusail, Qatar
- Length: 5.419 km (3.367 miles)
- Corners: 16
- DRS Zones: 1
- Layout: A high-speed circuit featuring sweeping corners, long straights, and a mix of technical sections.
- Surface: Smooth asphalt with a consistent level of grip.
- Unique Feature: Qatar’s circuit is known for its flowing, high-speed corners and wide, expansive layout, making it a true test of a driver’s precision and bravery at full throttle.
Sector 1: Turns 1-5
- Turn 1:
The lap begins with the approach to Turn 1, a sweeping right-hander. Brake hard and late, turn into the apex, ride over the kerb and use this to help rotate the car, carry plenty of speed, through the corner but avoid running to wide on corner exit, pull the car back across to the right side of the track for the best entry into turn 2. - Turn 2:
A medium speed left-hander taken in 5th gear, turn in and aim for a late apex, clip the kerb on the inside then let the car run to the edge of the track on exit, ride the kerb but be careful of track limits. - Turn 3:
Stay on the right as you approach turn 3, a fast right-hander that opens up into a wide section. You’ll want to carry as much speed as possible through this corner, using the full track width while avoiding excessive steering to maintain stability. Let the car run to the outside of the track and stay to the left for turn 4. - Turn 4-5:
This is a double right hander, carry plenty of speed through these corners. A quick dab of brakes to scrub enough speed to attack these corners is all you need, steering inputs should be smooth to aid stability, aim for the apex and ride the kerb. Allow the car to flow to the outside of the track before cutting back in for turn 5. Aim for the apex and ride the kerb carrying plenty of speed out of this sequence of corners.
Sector 2: Turns 6-11
- Turn 6:
This is a slow speed left hander, brake hard, turn in towards the apex and let the camber of the corner rotate the car, get back on the power carefully to keep the rear end stable. Watch for track limits on exit and let the car drift to the left side of the track to get the best position for the next corner. - Turn 7:
A medium speed right hander, dab the brakes to settle the car for turn in, take an early apex to allow the car to run wide on exit which positions you for the best line into turn 8. - Turn 8-9:
A fast left-hander, you need to stay balanced through here, using the track width wisely to keep your speed up. It’s critical not to get greedy with the apex as you’ll need a stable line into Turn 9. Turn 9 is a tricky right-hander, focus on staying tight and using the kerbs to maintain a good exit. - Turn 10-11:
These long left-handers require precision, trail brake into the corner, and allow the camber at the apex to rotate the car, clip the kerb and get a smooth exit. Don’t run to wide on exit as this will violate track limits and unsettle the car on the outside kerb. Take the path of least resistance through the shallow kink of turn 11, clip the kerb and stay to the left of the track for the best approach to turn 12.
Sector 3: Turns 12-16
- Turn 12-13-14:
This sequence of triple right handers are fast flowing and taken at full throttle with the right setup. Aim for the apex, clip the kerb and allow the car to drift to the outside on exit, continue turning to the right to clip the next inside apex, clip the kerb and allow the car to flow back to the outside, be mindful of running to wide. Take a quick breather before turning into turn 14, take plenty of kerb on entry to help rotate the car and carry the speed through this corner, avoid running to wide, pull the car back to the right to set up turn 15. - Turn 15:
Is a fast left hander that only requires a small lift and a gear drop to settle the car. Attack the kerb to carry plenty of speed through this corner, Don’t run to wide on exit as the kerb will unsettle the car, scrub as s minimal amount of speed through this corner as it leads onto a short straight before the last corner. - Turn 16:
The final corner before the home stretch. A tight right-hander, that can be tricky, it needs to be taken slower than you think, use the inside kerb to help rotate the car, keep the car under control on exit, don’t let the car drift out too wide as you will violate track limits and unsettle the car. The key is to build momentum through this corner with smooth steering and throttle inputs, to carry as much speed down the start/finish straight.
Full Qualifying Lap
In this section, you’ll find my full Qatar F1 24 qualifying lap video, where I push the limits of precision and speed to challenge myself against real-world qualifying lap times. Experience the exhilaration of navigating Qatar’s high-speed corners like Turn 1, Turn 6, and Turn 12, and see how my lap compares to the best in Formula 1. Witness the technical mastery required to conquer this thrilling circuit and immerse yourself in the excitement of the Qatar Grand Prix.
Previous Pole Lap Times at Qatar Grand Prix
Here are the pole lap times for the Qatar Grand Prix in recent years, showcasing the incredible speed and precision required to master this high-speed circuit.
- 2024 Pole Lap: Max Verstappen – 1:20.520
- 2023 Pole Lap: Max Verstappen – 1:23.778
- 2022 Pole Lap: Cancelled for the FIFA World Cup
- 2021 Pole Lap: Lewis Hamilton – 1:20.827
Personal Lap Reflection
The Qatar Grand Prix is such a great track to race at! While it’s mostly known for its MotoGP usage, it really shines as a Formula 1 circuit. The layout has a perfect blend of high-speed corners and sweeping curves that really test your car setup. The fast-flowing sections demand a strong, stable setup that allows for quick direction changes, which makes it a unique challenge. What makes it even more enjoyable is how much precision and control are required, especially through the high-speed corners, where any small mistake can cost you valuable time. I had so much fun racing here, and the excitement never fades, even after multiple laps. It’s definitely one of my favourites on the calendar – a track that combines speed, strategy, and technical skill in a way that few others do.
Qatar F1 24 Setup
For my Qatar F1 24 Grand Prix qualifying lap, I used a setup designed for a 35% race distance with 100 AI difficulty. This balanced setup provides excellent stability through the track’s fast-flowing corners and long straights, ensuring precise control during high-speed sections. It’s tuned for quick direction changes while maintaining downforce for stability at speed. No mid-session adjustments like brake bias or differential changes are necessary—this setup is reliable and allows you to focus entirely on your lap and race performance without any need for last-minute tweaks. It’s a “set it and forget it” approach, perfect for tackling the challenges of the Qatar circuit.
| Aerodynamics | Front wing | 47 |
| Rear wing | 43 | |
| Transmission | Differential on-throttle | 85% |
| Differential off-throttle | 30% | |
| Engine braking | 90% | |
| Suspension Geometry | Front camber | -3.50 |
| Rear camber | -2.20 | |
| Front toe-out | 0.00 | |
| Rear toe-in | 0.02 | |
| Suspension | Front suspension | 41 |
| Rear suspension | 3 | |
| Front anti-roll bar | 21 | |
| Rear anti-roll bar | 13 | |
| Front ride height | 20 | |
| Rear ride height | 50 | |
| Brakes | Brake pressure | 100% |
| Front brake bias | 54% | |
| Tyres | Front right tyre pressure | 28.5psi |
| Front left tyre pressure | 29.5psi | |
| Rear right tyre pressure | 26.3psi | |
| Rear left tyre pressure | 26.5psi |
Memorable Moments of the Qatar Grand Prix
- Max Verstappen Clinches Drivers’ Title (2023):
Max Verstappen secured his 2023 Formula 1 World Drivers’ Championship after a dramatic turn of events during the F1 Sprint at the Qatar Grand Prix. His teammate, Sergio Perez, crashed out during the race, which ultimately allowed Verstappen to clinch the title. This marked Verstappen’s third consecutive World Championship title, solidifying his dominance in the 2023 season. The Qatar GP Sprint added to the intensity of the championship battle and made for a memorable moment in F1 history! - Mercedes Teammates Lewis Hamilton and George Russell Crash (2023):
During the 2023 Qatar Grand Prix, Mercedes teammates Lewis Hamilton and George Russell were involved in a dramatic crash. The incident occurred during the race when Hamilton was forced to retire after a collision with Russell, who also sustained significant damage to his car. This marked a rare misfortune for the Mercedes team, with both drivers unable to continue the race due to the damage. The crash was a major setback for the team, especially given the competitive nature of the race and the high stakes of the 2023 season. - Logan Sargeant Withdraws from Qatar Due to Heatstroke (2023):
Logan Sargeant was forced to withdraw from the 2023 Qatar Grand Prix after suffering from heatstroke during the race weekend. The extreme heat and humidity in Qatar took a toll on the Williams driver, and he was unable to continue participating in the event. Heatstroke is a serious condition, and Sargeant’s withdrawal highlighted the challenging conditions that drivers sometimes face in high-temperature races. His health was the top priority, and his decision to step out of the race was made with the support of the team. - Hamilton’s Dominance Under the Lights (2021):
Lewis Hamilton’s performance at the 2021 Qatar Grand Prix was a remarkable display of dominance under the lights. The race, held at the Lusail International Circuit, showcased Hamilton’s exceptional driving skills and ability to adapt to new tracks. Starting from pole position, Hamilton controlled the race with an impressive pace, maintaining his lead throughout and securing a crucial victory in his battle for the 2021 Drivers’ Championship. - Tyre Strategy Madness (2023):
The 2023 Qatar Grand Prix was a thrilling spectacle, with tyre strategy playing a pivotal role in the race’s outcome. As drivers battled the extreme temperatures and demanding track conditions at the Lusail International Circuit, tyre management became crucial for success. Teams were forced to carefully plan pit stops and adjust strategies on the fly, as the track’s high-speed corners and abrasive surface put significant stress on the tyres. Ultimately, tyre strategy was a key factor in determining the podium finishers, and the drama it brought only heightened the intensity of the 2023 Qatar GP.
Conclusion
Mastering the Qatar Grand Prix circuit is all about finding the right balance between speed, stability, and tyre management. The track’s high-speed corners and flowing layout require a stable setup to handle the demanding direction changes, while the heat and abrasive surface add an extra layer of complexity. Whether you’re attacking the straights, navigating tight corners, or managing tyre wear, precision is key to unlocking the full potential of this challenging circuit.
With its unique blend of speed, strategy, and technical demands, the Qatar Grand Prix has earned its place as one of F1’s most exciting venues. By refining your setup and fine-tuning your approach to each sector, you’ll be well on your way to achieving faster lap times and tackling the challenges of this thrilling track.
I put together this track guide using my trusty Fanatec GT DD Pro 8Nm racing wheel paired with the F1 Esports V2 rim, along with modded CSL pedals for that extra responsiveness. I race on the PS5, seated comfortably in my modified Playseat Challenge. To elevate my performance even further, I gear up with specialized gloves and boots that provide the perfect grip and feel. This setup has truly enhanced my control and precision on the track, making every racing session not just competitive, but incredibly enjoyable!
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