F1 returns to Qatar: how different it is from MotoGP

10/4/2023

Nearly two years after the first edition, Formula 1 returns to Qatar for the sixth last GP of the season.

Nearly two years after the first edition, Formula 1 returns to Qatar for the sixth last GP of the season. The Lusail International Circuit is classified as a circuit that has a medium level of difficulty for brakes: on a scale from 1 to 5, it is rated 3 on the difficulty index, the lowest of the tracks in the Middle East on a par with Abu Dhabi.

Designed to host motorcycle races, the Lusail track features corners to be taken on at high and medium speed even if it has a straight section that is over one kilometer long. To mark the event, the drivers will have new asphalt but the desert sand may settle on the track affecting the trajectories and the braking power discharged to the ground.

Differences with MotoGP

MotoGP riders have to use their brakes on 13 of the 16 turns on the Lusail International Circuit compared with Formula 1 drivers who use them 9 times per lap. There is a clear difference especially on the second half of the track because from turn 12 to the finishing line, the motorcyclists have to use their Brembo brakes constantly whereas the single-seaters use them 3 times.

This results in thebrakes being used for just 12.25 seconds per lap in Formula 1 compared with three times as much, 39 seconds, in MotoGP. From start to finish, the brake system is used for 15% of the time on the single-seaters compared with 34% for MotoGP.

Never more than 125 kg (275 lb)

On the Lusail International Circuit the Formula 1 drivers never use their brakes for more than 2 corners in a row. However, the extremely windy nature of the track stops the cars going over 300 km/h (186 mph) with the exception of the start/finish straight. What is more, both the qualifying round and the two races - the Sprint on Saturday and the traditional race on Sunday - are held under artificial light.

From the starting line to the checkered flag in the standard race, each driver exerts a total load of 46 metric tons on the brake pedal, almost exactly the same as Monza. Even if the Italian track has 5 braking points requiring at least 137 kg (302 lb) of load applied to the pedal, in Qatar the figure never exceeds 125 kg (275 lb).

Over 4 Gs of deceleration

Of the 9 braking points on the Lusail International Circuit, only 2 are considered demanding on the brakes, 4 are of medium difficulty, and the remaining 3 are light.

Just like MotoGP, the most demanding of all is the braking moment on the first turn even if the drop in speed is much lower due to the higher speed on the turn guaranteed by four wheels: the single-seaters go from 310 km/h (192 mph) to 146 km/h (90 mph) in just 2.04 seconds and cover a distance of 118 meters (387 feet).

The drivers undergo deceleration of 4.1 G and apply 115 kg (253.5 lb) of load on the brake pedal.

And what about the video games? 

Taking on Turn 1 at the Lusail International Circuit in the Formula 1 video game is fairly simple: we recommend tackling the last part of the straight with one part of the single-seater over the left-hand side curb so that you don’t lose too much speed when changing direction.

Move down into 4th gear when you reach the 100 meter sign, moving onto the inside before accelerating again while the centrifugal force pulls the car outwards.