QATAR: Five Things You Might Have Missed

The 2023 Qatar Grand Prix was an action-packed weekend on track thanks to another appearance of the Sprint format. The race had always been known for its challenging track, with its long straights and tight corners demanding the utmost concentration from the drivers.

Off track things were equally as busy with track surface prep, meeting celebrities, hot laps and adapting race kit for the night race. Here are a few of our favourite moments we think you might enjoy...

Getting to Grips With Lusail

While last weekend was not the first time we had raced at the Lusail International Circuit, there was still plenty of unfamiliarity facing us when we arrived at the track at the start of the week.

The surface of the 5.4km layout had been re-laid ahead of this year’s event, meaning it was crucial for the team to head out as soon as they could to gather as much data as possible. With a Sprint race weekend on the horizon and fewer Free Practice sessions on the schedule, it made any track recces even more crucial.

We made a useful guide to explain how we prepared for racing on the new surface - a crucial piece of prep ahead of the track action.

Scooters were optional...

Watch Here

AMG Hot Laps Fun

While Lewis headed out on two wheels to explore the Lusail track, George went with the more familiar four. A couple of quick flying laps in the beautiful Mercedes AMG SL55 on Thursday evening was a fantastic way of learning all about the re-surfaced circuit.

He was able to take a good friend along for the ride too, playing chauffer for Alex Albon in the passenger seat. It was all smiles and laughter for the pair, who clearly had a great time getting back up to speed with the track. The perfect way to get your first few laps of the weekend in!

Hot Laps

Day and Night Mode

As well as high temperatures and deserts winds, the drivers also had to contend with variable lighting in Qatar, taking to the track in daylight, dusk and at night.

With FP1 and Saturday’s Sprint Shootout being run in the day and into the early evening and Qualifying, the Sprint race, and the race itself taking place after the sun had gone down, it was important to make sure – as we do for any night race – that our drivers were equipped with as many helmet visor choices as possible for the changing conditions.

We sat down with Michael Aumento, Racing Manager at Bell Racing Helmets, to explain how he and his team get Lewis and George ready and fully equipped for all conditions over a night race weekend. 

Lewis Making Dreams Come True

A young karter called Nahyl (who Lewis has previously posted about on his Instagram) got the chance for the picture of a lifetime on Saturday night when he caught up with Lewis in the Qatar GP paddock after the F1 Sprint race.

Nahyl, who sports a yellow and purple helmet design similar to Lewis’, spent the weekend taking in the wonderful new F1 paddock in Lusail, and definitely made the most of his moment with his hero.

And of course, Lewis was there to offer some very important advice at the end. 

“Remember to work hard in school,” he said.

Meeting Your Hero

Hamilton, Beckham and Russell

An F1 paddock is always full of celebrities and superstars, but they really do not get much bigger than David Beckham. The former Manchester United, Real Madrid and LA Galaxy footballer was an ever-present in the Qatar Grand Prix pit lane on race day Sunday and it was a real honour for our team to welcome David in for a quick catch-up pre-race with Lewis and George.

With Becks’ Netflix documentary a hot topic of conversation at the moment, there was plenty to talk about....

Read more about the Qatar Grand Prix via the link below.

2023 Qatar Grand Prix