Excitement is building ahead of the Qatar Grand Prix, the penultimate race of the 2025 Formula 1 season which features the final sprint race.
Defending champion Max Verstappen won in Las Vegas last weekend to keep the pressure on frontrunner Lando Norris, who was disqualified post-race for technical infringements alongside his teammate and fellow title contender Oscar Piastri.
This means that Norris stayed on 390 points, but now only 24 points ahead of Verstappen, who has joined Piastri on 266 points, setting up a fascinating battle in Qatar.
Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the Qatar Grand Prix.
What is the Qatar Grand Prix?
The Qatar Grand Prix is a relatively new addition to the Formula 1 calendar, having first hosted a race in 2021. It is known for its spectacular night racing under powerful floodlights at the Lusail International Circuit, located just outside the capital city of Doha.
The 2025 race will be the fourth edition – there was no race in 2022 due to the World Cup – and is the penultimate race of the season.
Qatar Grand Prix Start Times
For viewers in the United Kingdom, the race will start at 4pm GMT on Sunday 30th November. This is a favourable time for UK audiences as it avoids the early morning alarm clocks that were needed for the Las Vegas GP last week, which started at 4am
Below is a full list of start times in selected locations around the world.
| Area | Start Time |
|---|---|
| Local Qatar time (Gulf) | 7pm, Sunday |
| GMT (UK) | 4pm, Sunday |
| CET/CEST (Central European) | 5pm, Sunday |
| EET/EEST (Eastern European) | 6pm, Sunday |
| EST/EDT (US Eastern) | 11am, Sunday |
| CST/CDT (US Central) | 10am, Sunday |
| SGT (Singapore) | 12am, Monday |
| JST (Japan) | 1am, Monday |
| AEST/AEDT (Australian Eastern) | 3am, Monday |
Qatar Grand Prix 2025 Schedule
Here is the weekend’s schedule, with all times in UK.
Friday 28th November
- Practice 1: 1.30pm
- Sprint Qualifying: 5.30pm
Saturday 29th November
- Sprint Race: 2pm
- Qualifying: 6pm
Sunday 30th November
- Race: 4pm
Qatar Grand Prix 2025 How to Watch in the UK
The Qatar Grand Prix will be broadcast live on Sky Sports F1 in the UK. Coverage starts at 3pm (Sunday) on Sky Sports F1 with the race starting at 4pm.
Sky Sports customers are also able to watch the race on the Sky Go app.
Qatar Grand Prix Circuit
The Qatar Grand Prix takes place on the 3.367-mile Lusail International Circuit:
| Detail | Specification |
|---|---|
| Location | Lusail, Qatar (near Doha) |
| Track Length | 5.419 km (3.367 miles) |
| Corners | 16 (10 right, 6 left) |
| Race Laps | 57 |
| Race Distance | 308.611 km (191.762 miles) |
| Key Features | Night race under floodlights, long main straight |
How Sprint Points are Awarded at the Qatar GP
Qatar’s 19-lap Sprint Race takes place at 2pm UK time on Saturday and gives drivers an early opportunity to stamp more points on the board.
Only the top-8 finishers will grab points, as follows:
- 1st = 8 points
- 2nd = 7 points
- 3rd = 6 points
- 4th = 5 points
- 5th = 4 points
- 6th = 3 points
- 7th = 2 points
- 8th = 1 point
F1 Standings Ahead of Qatar GP
Lando Norris was unable to add to his 390 point tally after he was disqualified after the Las Vegas Grand Prix, which allowed race winner Max Verstappen to reduce the gap between the drivers to just 24 points, after he moved up to join Oscar Piastri, who was also disqualified, on 366 points. However, it’s Piastri who still holds onto second spot as he has seven race wins to Verstappen’s six.
Top-10 Standings
| Position | Driver | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lando Norris | 390 |
| 2 | Oscar Piastri | 366 |
| 3 | Max Verstappen | 366 |
| 4 | George Russell | 294 |
| 5 | Charles Leclerc | 226 |
| 6 | Lewis Hamilton | 152 |
| 7 | Kimi Antonelli | 137 |
| 8 | Alexander Albon | 73 |
| 9 | Isack Hadjar | 51 |
| 10 | Nico Hulkenberg | 49 |
Qatar Grand Prix 2025 Odds
Two-time winner Max Verstappen has been installed as the 11/8 favourite to triumph in Qatar for the third year in a row. The Dutchman has won four of the last seven races in 2025 and will fancy his chances of going back-to-back, having triumphed in Las Vegas last Sunday.
Lando Norris, who has won two of the last three races, is next in the running at 7/4, ahead of the 7/2 priced Oscar Piastri, who is without a win in seven races.
George Russell leads the chasing pack at 14/1, with Kimi Antonelli and Charles Leclerc both out at 20/1.
Qatar Grand Prix Results
While the 2025 results are yet to be decided, the three previous editions have been won by Lewis Hamilton (2021) and Max Verstappen (2023 & 2024).
Hamilton was the first victor of the race four years ago, beating title rival Verstappen to the line, with Fernando Alonso third. There was no race in 2022 but Verstappen has since conquered the field in the last two editions.
FAQs About the Qatar Grand Prix
What time does the race start?
The race starts at 4pm for UK viewers on Sunday 30th November 2025.
Who won the previous Qatar GP?
Max Verstappen won the 2024 edition.
How many overtakes were there in the 2024 Qatar Grand Prix?
There were a total of 81 overtakes in 2024.
How many laps?
The race will be contested over 57 laps.
Track details and specifications?
The circuit length is 5.419km (3.367 miles) and covers a total distance of 308.611 km (191.762 miles).