With the F1 Sprint format used this weekend at the Qatar Grand Prix, drivers have just one practice session to find out how their cars will perform on an unfamiliar track.
Formula 1 drivers faced extremely difficult conditions as the sun set and huge amounts of sand ruined the only practice session of the weekend’s Qatar Grand Prix.
F1 returns to the Losail international circuit for the second time this year. He made his historic debut in 2021, taking a year off for the FIFA World Cup before returning this weekend.
Compared to most other F1 events, this track resembles a ghost town. There are no support events, meaning no rubber is placed on the track other than rubber taken from the tires of F1 cars.
And that’s not the only factor affecting grip levels. The breeze has been carrying sand from the desert onto the circuit, so much so that even when cars trundle slowly down the pit lane a plume of sand is thrown up into the air.
It was causing plenty of grip issues at the start of practice on Friday afternoon. The session got under way at 4.30pm local time, early evening, with the sun beginning to set.
That meant the track was much warmer than it will be for the competitive sessions this weekend. This heat combined with the new circuit surface and lack of rubber and sand made it very difficult for riders to find the grip they needed to push hard.
Max Verstappen was one of the first to point out how difficult it was. The Dutchman almost laughed as he reported to his Red Bull team on the radio:
“Oh my god, it’s so slippery!” And about the time of day, he added:
“I can’t see anything. I don’t know why but the sun means we can’t see anything.”
Carlos Sainz also complained about the lack of grip. He mentioned his race-winning father, Carlos Snr, while joking with his Ferrari racing engineer:
“Yeah, my dad would be quick [sic] in these conditions
It was far from ideal, especially as it was the only practice session the drivers will have this weekend. The Sprint format means qualifying moves forward to Friday, Saturday sees the Sprint Shootout followed by the short-form race, before the main Grand Prix on Sunday
Parc ferme rules still apply as normal, meaning teams have only what data they collect during that practice session to decide their set-ups for the rest of the weekend. And, once qualifying begins, any changes they make to those set-ups will incur penalties.
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