Your servant had already been to Losail a year ago. First observation, the change of date from October to December is felt by 20 degrees and 10% less humidity. We’re no longer suffocating, and that’s a good thing. In the meantime, the Qatari circuit has further evolved with slightly more developed infrastructures compared to last year. As a matter of pride to better respond to the Saudis in Jeddah who were hosting the GT World the same weekend on the other side of the Arabian peninsula.
In 2023, some 120,000 people made the trip over the three days of the event. We bet there were more this year. The main stand was full, made up of quite a few Europeans, including Belgians, who had come to discover this region which arouses many passions.
A bit of Neuville in the desert
A quick tour of the fan zone behind the long pit straight is enough to prove that the Qataris have done things well. Main stage, stalls, souvenir shops, various activities, everything is there. And we say to ourselves that Spa GP, which is redoubling its efforts to brighten up the Belgian GP, has nothing to envy them despite much more limited means.
One shop caught our attention, that of Rwanda which will soon host the FIA prize giving ceremony and which ultimately wishes to organize a GP. The QMMF, the local RACB, is proudly displayed with several cars, including a “Lifelive” Cross Car, Thierry Neuville’s company having supplied a fleet of cars to Qatar. Business is business!
FIA president sends F1 drivers upset: “It’s none of their business”
The media are also pampered with a large press room (but smaller than that of Spa-Francorchamps) plunged into darkness with a relaxation area with ping-pong tables, beanbags and F1 simulators, but also a cafeteria. The VIP area is royal, being located on two levels. At the end of the straight line, the emir and his family even have their own buildings.
Will the Qatar Grand Prix one day be unmissable like the European “fantastic four” of Belgium, Italy, Great Britain and Monaco? The answer is simple: no. But like Singapore, Abu Dhabi or even Las Vegas, it is an exotic destination, nestled in such an atypical country, which deserves to be experienced at least once in your life.
