Is anyone else refusing to believe that this is the penultimate race of the year?

F1’s longest-ever season has flown by, but with the Sprint format returning in Qatar, we’ve still plenty of racing ahead of us to enjoy before we face the dreaded off-season. We’ve touched down in Doha with two season-defining rounds to look forward to and we’re determined to soak up every second of the action - and the heat - before we hunker down for winter.

To prepare us for this weekends race at the Lusail International Circuit, we’ve spoken to Lando, Oscar and Team Principal Andrea Stella. We’ve also written up a guide to the circuit, explained some more F1 terminology and provided some tips on how to make the most of our Black Friday sale.

"I'm looking forward to returning to Qatar. It was a very good race for us last year, and we aim to do even better this year. It's also the final Sprint of the year, so we'll be looking to bring home as many points as possible.

“We have full focus on what we need to achieve in the final two rounds. The track and conditions in Qatar should suit us more than last weekend so I’m excited to see what we can do. Two more to go, let’s do this!”

"Qatar up next. I’m looking forward to being back, and it’s another Sprint weekend. I won the Sprint here last year, so I'm really excited to see what we can do this time around.

“We’ve only got two weekends left and we know what we need to do. This weekend should be stronger for us than Vegas, so we’ve got our heads down and we're ready to continue giving it our all in the Constructors' Championship battle."

"After a more challenging weekend in Las Vegas, we now head to the penultimate race of the year. The conditions and circuit in Qatar suit our car well, so we’re ready to maximise all opportunities, especially with the additional crucial points available in the Sprint.

“Our mission to win the Championship remains clear and the fight is closer than ever. It's a three-way battle and every point counts. We continue to remain focused, and we’ll do everything we can to finish the job.”

Track insights

After last year’s Grand Prix, it’s been suggested that Qatar might have replaced Singapore as F1’s physically toughest race. While this remains up for debate, they do both pose extreme challenges.

The primary test for drivers in Singapore relates to the circuit’s high humidity, whereas in Qatar, it’s the heat that makes it so physically demanding. The temperatures, combined with the track’s smooth but abrasive nature, also increases the importance of tyre management, with rubber wearing much more quickly.

The temperatures should be somewhat cooler in 2024, with this year’s race taking place both later in the year and later in the day, moving from early October to late November and from 17:00 local time to 19:00 local time, respectively. Even with these changes, the team will still be faced with hot temperatures, especially when compared to last weekend’s colder-than-usual Grand Prix in Las Vegas.

Despite being designed with motorcycles in mind, the 16-corner, 5.38km circuit actually offers several overtaking opportunities, thanks to a combination of wide, long straights, heavy braking zones, and more technical corners.

As is often the case, Turn 1 provides the track’s best overtaking opportunity. The first corner is a heavy braking zone that directly follows a 1km-long straight, allowing for a pass down the inside. Turn 6 is a similarly good place to attempt a move, following on from the back straight. As well as being key corners for lining up moves later down the line, Turns 12 and 4 can also offer up overtaking opportunities, in the right conditions.

The season so far

Lando and Oscar finished sixth and seventh, respectively, last time out at the Las Vegas Grand Prix, meaning we head into the final two rounds with a 24-point advantage over second place and the Constructors’ Championship on the line.

F1 translations: Flag types

F1 is full of specialist slang and complicated jargon that can stump even the most avid of fans, which is why we’ll be explaining common F1 terminology ahead of each grand prix this season. Last week was corner types, this week we’ll be rattling off some of F1’s most common flags.

The Green Flag is everyone’s favourite, signalling that the track is clear, and racing can begin/resume at full speed. The Chequered Flag, meanwhile, is waved from above the start/finish to signal that the session is complete.

Aside from those above, one of the most regularly used flags in Formula 1 is the Yellow Flag. A single Yellow Flag indicates that there is an issue on track that drivers must slow down for. For a more serious hazard on track, a double Yellow Flag will be waved, requiring drivers to slow down significantly. Overtaking is not permitted under either flag, while stewards clear up the hazard.

A Red Flag is, thankfully, less common. This is shown when conditions are too dangerous for the session to continue, requiring all cars to return to the pit lane until it is safe to go racing.

A Blue Flag isn’t one any driver wants to be shown. The dreaded Blue Flag is shown to slower drivers, instructing them to move out of the way and allow an approaching car to overtake. This could be shown in Free Practice or Qualifying to a car on a cool-down lap impeding a driver on a push lap. However, if it is waved in a Grand Prix, it means that you’re a slower car that needs to allow the leading cars to lap them.

The Black and White Flag is waved as a warning for unsporting behaviour, telling a driver that further violations will lead to a penalty. E.g. for weaving on the straights or blocking an oncoming car.

Another flag that drivers definitely won’t want to be shown is the Black Flag. This will be shown to driver for a serious breach of violations or for repeated rule breaking - such as unsafe driving or for ignoring instructions from Race Control - and signals that a driver has been disqualified from the session and must return to the pits immediately.

A White Flag is waved when there is a slow-moving vehicle on track, warning drivers that they must take care to avoid a collision. This could be another F1 car with damage, a marshal vehicle, or the Safety Car.

Finally, the Yellow and Red Striped Flag warns drivers that the track surface is slippery due to a hazard on track, such as oil or gravel.

F1 icebreaker

Stuck for conversation with your F1-loving friends? Spark up a discussion with our F1 icebreaker...

The Lusail International Circuit has hosted a round of the MotoGP World Championship since 2004.

The fit: Black Friday

There are few more exciting days of the year for F1’s fashionista fans than Black Friday, but you needn’t wait ‘till the 29th November as we’ve already got a plethora of offers available for you on the McLaren Store, making this the ideal time to spice up your wardrobe and stock up on Christmas presents for your loved ones. There’s up to 50% off on a huge variety of options across the store, but be warned, sizes are being snapped up fast.