Qatar Airways Qatar Grand Prix
Location: Lusail, Qatar
Course: Lusail International Circuit
Course Length: 5.42km
Laps: 57
Qatar Grand Prix Race Preview
Just when everything seemed to be going well for Lando Norris and McLaren, the Las Vegas race weekend took a dramatic turn. Not only did Max Verstappen dominate and win the race, but both Norris and teammate Oscar Piastri were disqualified following post-race inspection for excessive plank wear on the underside of the cars. The double blow leaves Norris just 24 points clear of Verstappen in the championship standings with two race weekends, and just under 60 points available, before the season concludes. The Las Vegas win was Verstappen's fifth win of the season and it extends an impressive turnaround in results since team boss Christian Horner was replaced by Laurent Mekies. With two races remaining, including extra points on offer from a sprint weekend at Qatar this week, the driver's championship remains far from over. Verstappen won the last two visits to Qatar's Lusail circuit and will be pushing hard to score maximum points to bring as much momentum as possible into a final-race push for another series championship in two weeks at Abu Dhabi.
Key Stats at Lusail International Circuit
- Races: 3
- Winners from pole: 2
- Winners from top-5 starters: 3
- Winners from top-10 starters: 3
- Winners from 21st or lower starters: 0
- Fastest race: 217.812 kph
Previous Lusail Winners
2024 - Max Verstappen
2023 - Max Verstappen
2021 - Lewis Hamilton
The Lusail International Circuit features medium- to high-speed corners that require maximum grip and tire management. The circuit opened in 2004 but didn't host Formula 1 until 2021. Tire management and track position have been critical at the track in the past. All three series races held at the circuit have been won by a driver starting on the front row with all the laps led each time by the eventual winner. Therefore, it pays to start up front, and qualifying will be a big focus from the top contenders. The track has just one DRS zone on the main straight and the higher-speed corners make passing tricky due to dirty air, the combination of which make for relatively few passing opportunities. The course's quick turns can also be tough on tires with a compound effect for cars in traffic sliding around more due the turbulent air from cars ahead. Drivers that can make their tires last over a long stint will be the best positioned to end the race in the best positions. Being another sprint weekend, fans will get a good preview on Saturday of what to expect come race time on Sunday. With tire wear and track position two of the most important components of success, fantasy players should stock their lineups with drivers starting at the sharp end of the grid.
RotoWire Formula 1 DFS Tools
DRAFTKINGS VALUE PICKS for the Qatar Grand Prix
DraftKings Tier 1 Values
Max Verstappen - $13,800
Lando Norris - $13,400
Oscar Piastri - $11,400
DraftKings Tier 2 Values
George Russell - $10,800
Charles Leclerc - $10,000
Kimi Antonelli - $7,800
DraftKings Tier 3 Values
Fernando Alonso - $6,200
Isack Hadjar - $5,800
Oliver Bearman - $4,800
DraftKings Constructor Values
McLaren - $14,3,00
Mercedes - $10,700
Red Bull Racing - $9,500
Formula 1 DFS Picks for the Qatar Grand Prix
Team Captain - Max Verstappen - $20,700
Alex Albon - $5,000
Oliver Bearman - $4,800
Nico Hulkenberg - $4,600
Pierre Gasly - $4,000
Constructor - Mercedes - $10,700
Max Verstappen can sense his opportunity to hoist another championship, and he knows that Qatar is a venue he can take another step toward it. He won the last two races at the track from the front row leading every lap on his way to Victory Lane and finished on the podium in all three races held at Lusail since Formula 1 added it to the calendar. There isn't anyone more dangerous when he can sense a chance of success and Verstappen will be pushing hard to close the points gap as much as possible before going for it all again in Abu Dhabi.
Alex Albon is hoping to put a miserable weekend at Las Vegas firmly behind him. The Williams driver crashed in qualifying, which left him to start at the back of the field for the race. From there, contact early and persistent radio trouble made the race impossible to safely continue. He'll be hoping to rebound in Qatar, though. Albon finished 13th and 15th in his two Qatar visits and will be gunning for his first points finish since Texas.
Haas driver Oliver Bearman it on an upswing. He started the season with six points from the first four races but struggled for consistency afterward. That trend has turned around, though. Bearman has scored points every race weekend since Singapore and now trails Carlos Sainz Jr. in the standings by just seven. With two races remaining, and a sprint weekend ahead this week, Bearman could move to within striking distance of the top 10 in the championship. This will be his first series race at Qatar, but Haas and Bearman have everything going the right direction for them right now.
Sauber's Nico Hulkenberg has also been finding success recently. The veteran took points from three of the last four race weekends and holds 10th position in the standings. This week will be the third time Hulkenberg has raced at Qatar, and the first two visits netted him a pair of 16th-place finishes with a crash last year. These will be the last two races for the team under the Sauber name before Audi takes over in 2026 and a continued run of good form to close the year would be a wonderful sending off for the historic outfit.
Pierre Gasly may also have something to say before the year is over. The Alpine driver scored his first points since Belgium a few weeks ago at Brazil, and just a few points in the final races could be the difference between slipping further behind in the championship or taking steps toward Yuki Tsunoda in 17th. Qatar should be a good spot for him to make up some ground after finishing 12th or better in his three visits with a best finish of fifth last season.
The driver selections this week leave enough room to grab Mercedes as Constructor. The timing couldn't be better, too. Not only has George Russell continued his fine form, but teammate Kimi Antonelli has also been turning heads. The rookie driver has been threatening for podium finishes more frequently and is making himself stand apart among the 2025 rookie class. At Qatar, Mercedes has done well in the past, too. Russell finished fourth there the last two seasons, and both drivers could be in contention for podium finishes again this time.
Formula 1 Betting Picks for the Qatar Grand Prix
Odds via DraftKings Sportsbook as of 11:00 PM ET Thursday
Race Winner - Max Verstappen +110
Winning Constructor - McLaren +125
Sprint Winner - Max Verstappen +135
Podium Finish - Kimi Antonelli +370
With blood in the water, Max Verstappen is circling. While the championship may still be unlikely, Verstappen can make a run of it with the hope of pulling off the improbable. Red Bull Racing has rediscovered the setup that enables Verstappen to race for wins, and Lusail is a track he is exceptional at. With multiple standout performances from the past few weekends, Verstappen has momentum back on his side, and that confidence is likely to give him the edge in both the sprint and race this week at Qatar. Those willing to move a little earlier this week could get slightly better odds for Verstappen to win that sprint race, too. Again, Verstappen is back to the top of his game and it is unlikely that he won't be in with a chance at the victory in both the sprint and main race this weekend. Odds for Sunday's victory are likely to drop if he wins on Saturday, which wagerers should beware of if they choose to wait to see what happens Saturday, though.
Anyone not convinced that Verstappen will be the driver to beat this week can get excellent odds on the other two likely winners by taking McLaren as the winning constructor. Odds for this wager most weeks at typically negative and bettors are getting two drivers versus having to choose just one. With the driver's title still at stake for both drivers, the motivation to come out on top is there for both drivers. Norris has a best finish of third at this track while Piastri stood on the podium in both of his attempts, too. It would be hard to choose between the two this week, and this option gives the McLaren fans a profitable wager that enables them to avoid making the coin toss between drivers.
A longer-shot wager worth looking at this week is Kimi Antonelli to finish on the podium. The Mercedes driver hasn't finished outside of the points since Monza, and his consistency is also being buoyed by improving results, too. Antonelli has come into form as his rookie season draws to a close and with Mercedes know-how at Qatar, Antonelli could be a dark-horse option for a podium spot Sunday.
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