Since its debut in 2021, the Qatar Grand Prix has quickly carved out a distinctive place on the modern Formula One calendar. Run under the floodlights at the sweeping Lusail International Circuit, the event combines high-speed corners with desert night spectacle.
Although still one of the newest races in Formula One, it has already played a decisive role in championship battles and produced standout performances from some of the sport’s biggest names.
What To Know?
- Four races, two winners – In its short history from 2021 to 2025, the Qatar Grand Prix has been won by just two drivers: Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen.
- Verstappen’s Lusail streak – Verstappen has won three consecutive Grands Prix at the Lusail International Circuit from 2023 to 2025, making him the most successful driver at the venue.
- Sprint era staple – Every Qatar Grand Prix since its 2023 return has featured the sprint format, making it one of the most consistent sprint hosts on the modern Formula One calendar.
- Championship significance – Qatar has already played a role in title storylines, with Verstappen sealing his 2023 World Drivers’ Championship during the Lusail weekend.
List of Every Qatar Grand Prix Winner
| Year | Circuit | Driver | Constructor | Start Pos. | Win margin | Race time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Lusail | – | – | – | – | – |
| 2025 | Lusail | Max Verstappen | Red Bull Honda RBPT | 3 | 7.995s | 1hr 24m 38.241s |
| 2024 | Lusail | Max Verstappen | Red Bull Honda RBPT | 2 | 6.031s | 1hr 31m 05.323s |
| 2023 | Lusail | Max Verstappen | Red Bull Honda RBPT | 1 | 4.833s | 1hr 27m 39.168s |
| 2021 | Lusail | Lewis Hamilton | Mercedes | 1 | 25.743s | 1hr 24m 28.471s |
Qatar Grand Prix Winners: 2021 to Today
The Qatar Grand Prix made its first appearance during the dramatic 2021 season. Originally stepping in to fill a late calendar gap, the race immediately became significant in the fierce title fight between Hamilton and Max Verstappen.
Hamilton delivered a commanding performance from pole position, controlling the race from start to finish. The flowing nature of the Lusail circuit suited the Mercedes package, and Hamilton never looked seriously threatened. Verstappen recovered strongly to finish second, while Fernando Alonso secured a memorable podium return.
The victory proved crucial in keeping the championship battle alive heading into the final rounds of one of Formula One’s most intense seasons.
After a one-year absence due to the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, the Grand Prix returned in 2023 under a long-term agreement. The weekend featured a sprint format, adding further intensity to an already demanding circuit.
Verstappen entered the weekend on the brink of another world title and duly sealed the championship during the sprint event. In the Grand Prix itself, he converted pole position into victory with a controlled drive under challenging, hot conditions that tested drivers physically.
The win underlined Red Bull’s dominance in 2023 and cemented Qatar as the site of Verstappen’s third consecutive world championship triumph.2024 – Max Verstappen
The 2024 edition once again featured a sprint weekend and added another chapter to Verstappen’s growing Lusail legacy.
Despite losing a provisional pole position due to a grid penalty, Verstappen wasted little time reclaiming control of the race. After overtaking George Russell, he managed the pace at the front and secured another victory in Qatar.
By this stage, Lusail had become firmly associated with Verstappen’s supremacy in the ground effect era, with back-to-back Grand Prix wins reinforcing his authority over the field.2025 – Max Verstappen
In 2025, Qatar continued its run as a sprint event and introduced an additional strategic twist: a strict tyre usage limit over the weekend. Drivers were required to make multiple stops during the Grand Prix, ensuring that strategy played an even more decisive role than in previous years.
Verstappen once again rose to the occasion. Starting third on the grid, he executed a perfectly judged race, using strategy and pace to move forward and claim yet another Lusail victory.
With three consecutive Grand Prix wins at the circuit, Verstappen established himself as the dominant force in Qatar’s short but increasingly significant history.
More F1 Race Winners
From Adelaide to Silverstone to Monza and Spa, we chart the full story of every F1 winner from each event’s first race to the last.
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