Limited overtaking opportunities for one.
The Qatari circuit was recently announced as part of the 2021 Formula 1 calendar, and received a mixed reaction. The usual for a track announcement in the middle east. We all know the saying, ‘Cash is King’.
Whether it is based on the motorsport heritage, or plain human rights issues, not everyone is going to be happy.
The circuit is well known for MotoGP, being a part of their season since 2004, and often produces an entertaining race. But, is that due to the circuit layout or because of MotoGP in general?
It will have a single DRS zone, being the kilometre long main straight. Obviously, this will present the best overtaking opportunities for the drivers, as turn one will allow a chance down the inside or even around the outside, considering that the turn will be taken in third or fourth gear. It could prove to be one of the most difficult aspects of the lap, given the effect of potential strong winds mixed with vast momentum.
Turn two is quite similar to turn one, it just goes left instead of right, and will line the cars up nicely for turn three – which will be a flat out kink for these cars. Not that tricky.
Two 90 degree right handers follow as the track starts to come back in on itself. Both corners, turns four and five, does not represent a great chance for an overtake unless its either a lunge or the car in front did not have a clean exit from turn two – scrapping their run up to four.
Turn five, however, could offer an opportunity. The closest thing we are going to get as a slow speed corner. A hairpin of sorts, a smooth run behind a rival coming into this section could see dives down the inside, but they will have to be close behind. It’s not exactly Loews Hairpin of Monaco, but its without doubt the tightest corner on the circuit – second or third gear.
Now, from turn seven through to turn 15. The tyres will take a bit of a beating through this section. Turn seven see’s a more open hairpin, not far off turn one, as the cars once again start to come back down. Heading into eight and nine, the cars will fly through the kink of eight, before being thrown to the right of nine. Qualifying will be very entertaining through this section as mechanical grip will be the master, however there will be no chance for an overtake, and following will prove to be tricky.
Drivers will be able to use their momentum from turn nine to make turn ten easier. Starting off tight, the corner quickly opens itself up as a long left hander of turn 11, which will also be easy flat in these cars however the right hand side tyres will be beginning to moan a bit.
The obvious higher temperatures of Qatar will make the drivers work physically and mentally. The fast middle sector will have the drivers sweating, with help from the temperatures, whilst the tyres will not be wanting to cool down. If it remains to be a night race, like MotoGP, the drivers and cars will be provided an easier day. If it happens to be a race in the afternoon, then good luck and have fun.
Anyway, turns 12, 13 and 14. Imagine the famous turn eight of Turkey, and flip it. Three corners and three apex’s in quick succession that will, undoubtedly, be fast – whilst the left hand side tyres will be screaming.
And, although it is a pain to keep saying, have fun following another car through this part of the circuit. Ah, the fun of this era of Formula 1 cars.
The penultimate turn of 15 gives the left hand side tyres a slight rest. But, it won’t exactly be slow. It shares similar characteristics to Abbey at Silverstone, just a little tighter. And bends left. A slight dab on the brakes should set the car up nicely to maximise the exit for the small straight towards the final corner of turn 16.
A final corner which could see entries sacrificed in order to gain a good exit onto the long main straight. Once again, it is a right hander that starts tight, and quickly opens the more you get around the turn. Drivers will find their way to pick up the throttle early to gain as much time on the exit as possible. Get that right, and the driver, car and tyres can have a breather for a kilometre before they do it all again.
Depending on certain conditions, it could become quite a brutal track. Tyre abrasion could be high, meaning that a one-stop could not be the most viable option in the race, especially if a driver finds themselves stuck behind another.
People love circuits that presents its own character, backed with elevation. Well, this does not have much of a change in elevation. It is basically flat, to the frustration of some. However, for the ones who crave higher speed, higher abrasion circuits then this could be for you. On a clean lap, we will not see drivers dip below fourth gear many times.
The Motorsport Formula 