What to expect from the returning Qatar GP?

Qatar GP: F1 returns to Losail International Circuit for Sprint Weekend as Max Verstappen eyes third world title The second Qatar Grand Prix is here after the event was not held last year due to the 2022 football World Cup; watch all sessions from the Qatar GP on Sky Sports F1, with qualifying on Friday and the Sprint Race on Saturday when Max Verstappen could become champion By Nigel Chiu Last Updated: 03/10/23 5:20pm Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Watch highlights from the only Formula One race to have taken place at the Qatar Grand Prix in 2021. Watch highlights from the only Formula One race to have taken place at the Qatar Grand Prix in 2021. The Qatar Grand Prix is back for 2023 and is set to be the stage on which Max Verstappen becomes a three-time world champion. Verstappen bounced back from a torrid weekend in Singapore with arguably his most dominant performance of 2023 so far as he topped every session and took a sensational pole lap which Sky Sports F1's Karun Chandhok labelled as "one of the great qualifying laps in F1 history".The Dutchman, who needs to finish sixth or higher to secure the title this Saturday in the Sprint Race, held off the McLaren challenge at the start of the race and romped his way to victory No 13 of the year. There's not many reasons to think Verstappen won't seal the title this Saturday - not Sunday, as it's a Sprint Weekend. However, the Losail International Circuit is very challenging for what looks like a conventional race track.What happened at the 2021 Qatar Grand Prix?The 2021 Qatar Grand Prix was the third to last race in a controversial and dramatic season notable for the battle between Lewis Hamilton and Verstappen.More controversy took place in Qatar during qualifying, when Verstappen was awarded a five-grid place penalty as he didn't slow down for double-waved yellow flags. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Paul di Resta was at the SkyPad to analyse why Max Verstappen was handed a five-place grid penalty. Paul di Resta was at the SkyPad to analyse why Max Verstappen was handed a five-place grid penalty. Christian Horner told Sky Sports F1 "a rogue marshal" stuck the flag out and was given an official warning by the FIA for his comments. Horner apologised and offered to participate in an FIA International Stewards Programme.It meant Verstappen started from seventh, while Hamilton was on pole, so we were denied a potential head-to-head battle down to Turn 1.Fernando Alonso brilliantly overtook Pierre Gasly for second place at Turn 2 on the opening lap, as Verstappen got up to fourth. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Valtteri Bottas' hopes of finishing on the podium in Qatar are dashed as he suffers a puncture. Valtteri Bottas' hopes of finishing on the podium in Qatar are dashed as he suffers a puncture. The Red Bull driver was up to second after five laps and it was a relatively quiet race from there. But, Valtteri Bottas suffered a puncture from third, while Lando Norris, George Russell and Nicholas Latifi also had punctures.As other drivers nursed their tyres, Alonso benefitted and took his first podium since 2014 as Hamilton took the win from Verstappen.Tyres set to be punished again Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player George Russell and Nicholas Latifi's tyres were hanging by a thread as both Williams drivers suffered a puncture. George Russell and Nicholas Latifi's tyres were hanging by a thread as both Williams drivers suffered a puncture. The high-speed corners around the Losail International Circuit, some of which have a long radius which means the drivers are turning for a long time, were one reason for the front-left punctures in the inaugural Qatar Grand Prix.Pirelli also suspect the abrasive kerbs were another reason, and the hot track temperatures - despite the race being held during the night - did not help either."Based on the findings obtained so far, the origin of the problem is mainly due to the amount of time these tyres were run on the kerbs, at high speed and with considerable lateral and vertical loads: a situation unique to the Losail circuit," a Pirelli statement read at the time. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Jenson Button takes Rachel Brookes around the Losail International Circuit in Qatar. Jenson Button takes Rachel Brookes around the Losail International Circuit in Qatar. "The heavy demand caused by running over these kerbs, which isn't possible to measure from the data available before the race, damaged the tyre construction and led to a loss of pressure in the internal sidewall, which consequently caused the structure to collapse after several seconds."F1 has just visited Suzuka, another circuit whi