Formula 1 lands in the Middle East for the inaugural Qatar Grand Prix at the Losail International Circuit

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The latest addition to the Formula One calendar is the Losail International Circuit in Qatar which plays host to round 20 of what has been a thrilling 2021 season.

The 3.3-mile circuit, situated 32-miles from the Doha City Centre, is most synonymous with motorcycle racing having hosted MotoGP races since its opening in 2004 as well as hosting World Superbike racing since 2005.

Designed by Hermann Tilke, the track features 16 turns that vary in radii with 10 rights and six lefts. The track’s most enjoyable series of corners is the triple right at turns 12, 13 and 14 which are often compared to Istanbul Park’s infamous turn eight.

The primary overtaking hotspot will be turn one as well as along the pit-straight with DRS assistance, but drivers may also look at moves at turns four, six, 10 and the final corner at turn 16.

Sergio Perez is the only driver on the grid to have any racing experience at Losail as the Mexican won race two of the 2008/09 GP2 Asia series with Nico Hulkenberg triumphing in race one 12 years ago.

Parallels from the two 2021 MotoGP races can be transferred into Formula 1. In both races, the Yamaha’s came out on top with Maverick Vinales and Fabio Quartararo taking top honours as the Japanese-manufactured bikes were nimble through the flowing medium-speed corners throughout the lap which will be quite similar to Red Bull’s car.

The Ducati-powered machines were incredibly potent in a straight line down the circuit’s kilometre-long pit straight which saw them take pole position in both qualifying sessions as Mercedes will look to employ the same strategy.

This race will be the final race of the November triple-header after races in Mexico and Sao Paulo that saw Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton taking a win each making the Qatar race finely poised.

Last time out in Brazil, Hamilton took glory despite Verstappen’s best efforts to keep hold of the race lead, and in doing so, ran the Brit out wide at turn four with Mercedes launching a further investigation into the incident.

Top 10 Prediction

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1. Lewis Hamilton

The Brit will continue his brilliant form from last weekend’s Sao Paulo Grand Prix and take victory this weekend in Qatar. Hamilton will cut down Verstappen’s championship lead as F1 reaches the season climax.

2. Max Verstappen

Verstappen will come home in second place in Qatar. It will be a relatively lonely race for the Dutchman who won’t be able to keep up with Hamilton.

3. Valtteri Bottas

Bottas will come third for a second successive race. It will be plain sailing for the Finn as his podium finish will further extend Mercedes’ lead at the top of the constructors’ standings.

4. Sergio Perez

Perez’s Qatari experience will prove crucial as he holds off both Ferrari cars to finish fourth. The Mexican will have Carlos Sainz all over his tail for the final part of the race but will do just enough to hold on.

5. Carlos Sainz

Sainz will continue Ferrari’s run of strong results by coming home in fifth place and securing another impressive top-five finish for the Italian outfit. The Spaniard will retain his grid position to the flag, finishing narrowly behind fourth-placed Perez.

6. Charles Leclerc

Leclerc will be scoring vital points for Ferrari as they try to pull away from McLaren in the constructors’ standings. The Monegasque driver will start from eighth but move his way up the field with some consistent pace.

7. Pierre Gasly

The Frenchman will once more fly the flag for AlphaTauri with another solid performance. Gasly will certainly be happy with his showing this weekend as he bids to end an impressive season on a high.

8. Sebastian Vettel

The German will enjoy his third top 10 finish in the previous five races as he comes home in eighth in Qatar. Vettel will start from ninth on the grid and pounce on an early Fernando Alonso mistake which will see him move up a place into eighth.

9. Lando Norris

Norris’ fortunes will continue to be poor as he comes home in ninth. The Brit will still be rueing his poor start in Sao Paulo as he can only pick up two points for McLaren this weekend.

10. Daniel Ricciardo

Like Norris, Ricciardo will also struggle for pace at Losail. The Aussie will start outside the top 10 and his free-choice of tyres will only see him climb to 10th in the opening laps.

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