Around Qatar with Charles Leclerc

F1 has solely raced in Qatar thrice earlier than, visiting solely as soon as in 2021 earlier than the occasion formally joined the calendar two years in the past. This yr, the Lusail Worldwide Circuit will check the bounds of F1 automobiles with a most stint size of 25 laps, a high-speed check that will increase tire put on. Our information for this one lap is 2024 runner-up Charles Leclerc.

“It is a actually, actually massive bodily problem, most likely the most important one of many season. The warmth is not as scorching because it was two years in the past, as a result of now it is truly fairly refreshing within the evenings. However the truth that Pirelli has a 25-lap restrict on stints means we’re pushing like loopy all through the race, which makes it very robust bodily.”

“It is also a really troublesome observe to grasp general as a result of there are such a lot of high-speed corners, so you need to give it your all within the qualifying laps. And a small mistake in a quick nook means you finish that lap instantly and have to begin once more. Whereas at decrease speeds, if you happen to make a mistake, it is somewhat bit simpler to cope with. So it is much more troublesome to grasp.”

“The final sector is a key space of the observe the place you need to drive appropriately. That is the place all of the high-speed sections are. It is also the place you have to be probably the most cautious as a result of bottoming out the automotive in these components may be very troublesome.”

“Clearly you have to arrange the automotive for the quick corners, however there are nonetheless some sluggish or medium pace corners the place you need to be sturdy. So it is all the time a steadiness, however actually on a observe like this you find yourself establishing the automotive for top speeds greater than low speeds as a result of there are much more excessive pace sections. However that does not make it any simpler.”

“Tire-wise, it wasn’t the toughest observe to handle. I am certain there are tracks which can be extra aggressive with their tires, however I used to be extra overheated. Particularly within the first yr, it was due to the warmth. It was a unique time of the yr, in order that was troublesome. However going from qualifying lap to qualifying lap for the entire race is quite a bit more durable than folks assume.”

“Usually there’s a reasonably large distinction between a race push and a qualifying push. It’s a must to take into consideration the tires and the way they evolve. Right here, it is all about pushing laborious for 57 laps and taking most dangers from nook to nook.”

“No, it is fairly distinctive…Silverstone can be a observe the place you are likely to push fairly a bit as a result of it has all of the high-speed sections. However right here, it is way more bodily.

“I particularly just like the night time racing half. I like night time racing usually. My favourite is night time racing on road tracks. It is not a road observe, nevertheless it’s additionally a very cool observe, and I like the excessive speeds. It is a very nice observe.”

overview:

Race distance: 57 laps/191.7 miles
2024 pole time: 1 minute 20.575 seconds (George Russell, Mercedes)
2024 winner: Max Verstappen, Purple Bull