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      About the circuit

      Lusail International Circuit

      The fabulous Lusail International Circuit lies on the outskirts of Doha, the capital city of Qatar. Built in little over a year, the track cost $58 million USD and required round-the-clock dedication from almost 1,000 workers in order to get it ready for the inaugural event - the Marlboro Grand Prix of Qatar on the 2nd October 2004.

      The track itself is a flowing layout of 5.4 kilometres, surrounded by artificial grass designed to prevent sand from the neighbouring desert from blowing onto the circuit. The main straight is over a kilometre in length and there is a good mix of medium and high-speed corners, including a couple of quick left-handers which has proved particularly popular with the riders.

      In 2008 Qatar celebrated the first night time Grand Prix in history, following the construction of permanent outdoor lighting. The switch to night time racing was a success and has continued to be so, with the Qatar event now established as one of the most spectacular on the MotoGP calendar.

      Qatar Airways Grand Prix of Qatar Track

      Track by category

      Category Laps Total Distance Finish in case of red flag
      MotoGP™ 22 118.36 Km / 73.55 Miles 17
      Moto2™ 20 107.6 Km / 66.86 Miles 15
      Moto3™ 18 96.84 Km / 60.17 Miles 14

      Circuit Specs

      • Total length

        5.38Km / 3.34 Miles

      • Total Width

        12m / 39.37ft

      • Longest Straight

        1,068m / 3503.94ft

      • Right Corners

        10

      • Left Corners

        6

      The Grand Prix of Qatar is undoubtedly one of the most spectacular events on the MotoGP™ calendar

      Doha, Qatar

      The action here takes place at night under the floodlights of the brilliant Lusail International Circuit, which sits around 30km outside Doha - the exciting and evolving capital city of Qatar. Located in the Qatari desert, the Lusail circuit held its first event at the venue with the October 2004 Grand Prix of Qatar, won by Sete Gibernau. In 2008 Qatar celebrated the first floodlit Grand Prix in the history of the MotoGP™ World Championship and since 2007 Qatar has also hosted the season-opening race on the GP calendar.

      Why we love Qatar and Doha


      Located in Western Asia, Qatar sits in the Persian Gulf - a small peninsula, with its sole land border of Saudi Arabia to the south. Across the Persian Gulf from the Arabian Peninsula, is the nearby island country, Bahrain. In this most exotic and intriguing part of the world, Qatar also shares maritime borders with the United Arab Emirates and Iran.

      For anyone who has not visited the Arabian Peninsula, the ancient desert landscape, with its rapidly developing cities and infrastructure, is a wonder to behold.

      Doha, Qatar’s breathtaking capital city is situated in the east of the country on the Persian Gulf coast. Qatar has a population of around 1.5 million, with roughly half the inhabitants residing in the capital, or its surrounding suburbs.

      Doha was recognized in 2014 as one of the ‘New7Wonders Cities’ together with Vigan, La Paz, Durban, Havana, Beirut, and Kuala Lumpur.

      Finding the right accommodation


      With Doha as your main base, there is plenty to do and see in the city and beyond. The Doha Corniche is a good place to start, as you stroll along the waterfront promenade extending for several kilometers along Doha Bay.

      On the Corniche you can visit the Msheireb Enrichment Centre for an insight into Qatar’s culture and heritage. On the other side of the bay you will also find the Museum of Islamic Art, which was opened in 2008 and is recognised as one of the standout museums in the region, reflecting the scale of Islamic art over three continents spanning 1400 years of history. A large park is located adjacent to the museum building and is a pleasant place to walk and relax in the sunshine.

      Qatar has become one of the biggest art buying countries in the world and the Arab Museum of Modern Art, also in Doha, reflects this trend, offering an Arab perspective on modern and contemporary art.

      You can also tour the city by double-decker bus, taking in all the major sights of Doha, such as the Katara Cultural Village and the Pearl-Qatar Marina. Another option is the boat cruise of Doha Bay which provides lovely views of the Corniche and the city’s amazing skyline.

      Tips for visiting Doha and Qatar


      In nomadic Arabic societies, desert travelers were always welcomed with food and drink. Communal dining is a tradition in Qatar, whilst the food enjoyed at big celebrations can also be sampled in local and international restaurants in and around Doha.

      Qatari cuisine has Indian, Iranian and North African influences, with signature dishes including locally caught fish, spicy seafood and meat stews, roast lamb, boiled goat with seasoned rice and locally grown dates. Arabic coffee will also be offered.

      When it comes to dress code, Qatar is fairly relaxed, but visitors are asked to demonstrate respect for the local culture and customs in public places, so avoid wearing overly revealing clothing. Context is key, so beachwear and casual wear is acceptable if you are lounging by the hotel pool.

      Cash machines (ATMs) are to be found throughout Doha and the restaurants and shops usually take credit cards. Keep in mind that the working week for Qataris is from Sunday to Thursday, with most offices closed on Friday and Saturday.

      Also, it is not permitted to bring alcohol into the country and alcohol is only usually available at international hotel bars and restaurants.