© Getty ImagesYour Guide to QatarAnd just like that, it’s race week yet again.
Andjustlikethat,it’sraceweekyetagain.Thisyearisspeedingpast(muchlikeourdrivers,really).PointsinVegasaren'tanythingtoscoffat,either.Lookslikewe’resettoendtheyearingreatform,whichyouabsolutelylovetosee.
So, where have we found ourselves for the penultimate round of the 2025 FIA Formula One World Championship? We’ll give you some clues. It’s hot, flat and in the Qatar desert. Ah, we might have given too much away there…
You got it: it’s the FORMULA 1 QATAR AIRWAYS QATAR GRAND PRIX 2025. And in typical VCARB fashion, we’re going to take you on a virtual tour of the area and give you a taste of what’s to come and what you should check out when visiting Qatar. This is VCARB’s Cultural Guide to Qatar.
Qatar sits on the Arabian Peninsula and shares a land border with Saudi Arabia. Its capital, Doha, is where over 80% of the 3 million-strong population lives and sits just 30 km south of the Lusail International Circuit, home of the FORMULA 1 QATAR AIRWAYS QATAR GRAND PRIX.
When In The Desert© 2024 Getty Images
Under British administration until 1971, Qatar quickly became one of the wealthiest countries in the world and is among the world’s largest exporters of oil thanks to the reserves it is home to, first found on the cusp of the Second World War. Since Qatar’s independence, the country has grown rapidly. In fact, it was the fastest economy during the 2000s.
The climate of Qatar is on the extreme end of the scale, with the Grand Prix being held at night in an attempt to combat the high temperatures, which range from 42°C in the summer and over 30°C during the Grand Prix weekend. As a result, the Qatar Grand Prix is one of the more physically and mentally demanding races of the season.
Since its rapid growth in the 21st century, Qatar has become a tourism hotspot, with over 2 million annual visitors recorded. Naturally, hospitality has become a huge part of Qatar’s economy and a 12% increase in hotels and resorts is planned by 2030. International events, such as the 2022 FIFA World Cup and, of course, Formula 1, are huge factors for this growth.
Qatar National Day is hosted each December to celebrate national identity and remember the unification of the former Qatari tribes in the 19th Century. The Doha Cultural Festival continues the celebration of Qatar’s culture, with annual activities that symbolise the arts and heritage of the country. By value, Qatar is the biggest art buyer in the world and fills its growing museums, such as the National Museum of Qatar and the Museum of Islamic Art, with international exhibitions.
Lusail By Sunset© 2024 Getty Images
You simply cannot visit Qatar without sampling its incredible cuisine, with Machbūs being one of the most well-known. It’s a traditional Arab meal and the national dish of Qatar, consisting of rice, meat and vegetables. Waraq enab (stuffed vine leaves) is another favourite among locals, as well as Harees, which is a wheat and meat-based porridge. For the thirsty readers among us, try a Karak tea, which is spiced and served with condensed milk and cardamom.
During November, Qatar has plenty on its roster that’s worth checking out. First of all, there’s the International Dragon Boat Tournament (which is as cool as it sounds) and the Doha Film Festival runs from 20-28 November, showcasing the latest and greatest in local cinema. These are both must-dos, in our humble VCARB opinion.
Qatar’s most popular sport is football, which made their winning 2010 bid for the 2022 FIFA World Cup all the more significant. Seven new stadiums were built in preparation for the tournament, and it was the first time the World Cup had been held in the Middle East. Qatar is also notable in other sports, including handball and basketball, with the national team winning the 2014 world championship in 3x3 basketball.
But, of course, we’re all here for F1, aren’t we? The Lusail International Circuit was built in 2003 and became a calendar staple for MotoGP the following year. Permanent lighting was added in 2007, and the first-ever night race in MotoGP was hosted in 2008. The track has been used by Formula 1 since 2021, and the circuit’s capacity was increased from 8,000 to over 50,000 spectators in preparation.
Liam and Isack both have 57 laps and 3.367 miles (and 16 turns in each) to tackle this Sunday. Plus, we have the final Sprint Race of the season to look forward to, in an all-important 19-lap dash for some of the last remaining points in the Constructors’ Championship. It’s set to be a banger, so don’t miss out on the VCARB action for the FORMULA 1 QATAR AIRWAYS QATAR GRAND PRIX 2025. See you there!
