F1 2025 Qatar Grand Prix Weather Forecast: What to Expect in Lusail This Weekend
Following the chaos and controversy of the Las Vegas Grand Prix, Formula 1 now shifts focus to the Lusail International Circuit for the penultimate round of the 2025 season. With only two race weekends remaining, the championship fight has tightened dramatically—setting the stage for a potentially decisive showdown under the Qatari night sky.
Thanks to the dramatic double disqualification of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri in Las Vegas, Max Verstappen has surged back into title contention. The reigning four-time world champion now trails Norris by just 24 points and sits level with Piastri, leaving 58 points still available across the final two events. The Qatar Grand Prix is also a sprint weekend, meaning drivers have two races—and twice the pressure—to secure crucial points.
As the championship intensifies, weather conditions will play a key role in how teams approach strategy, tyre management, and overall performance. Here is the detailed weather outlook for each day of the Qatar Grand Prix weekend.
Friday, November 28 – FP1 and Sprint Qualifying
The competitive action begins earlier than usual due to the sprint format. Teams will have just one hour of practice, making FP1 vitally important for gathering setup data.
FP1 – 4:30 PM (AST)
Temperatures during the late afternoon session are expected to sit around 27°C, even as the sun begins its descent. Because of humidity—forecast at 47%—the conditions will feel closer to 30°C. Wind conditions should remain moderate, offering relatively stable airflow for teams to test aerodynamic upgrades and race trim settings.
Importantly, there is zero chance of rainfall, offering teams a consistent and predictable environment for the only practice session of the weekend.
Sprint Qualifying – 8:30 PM (AST)
By the time sprint qualifying begins, night will have fallen over Lusail. Despite this, temperatures will remain warm at around 24°C, with a real-feel closer to 28°C due to humidity rising to 62%. The elevated moisture levels may challenge drivers’ comfort and tyre behaviour, especially as the track continues to evolve.
Expect calm conditions with 8 mph winds, and once again no risk of precipitation, ensuring a clean and uninterrupted first competitive session.
Saturday, November 29 – Sprint Race and Grand Prix Qualifying
Saturday presents a double challenge: a sprint race that awards championship points, followed by the all-important qualifying session for Sunday’s Grand Prix.
Sprint Race – 5:00 PM (AST)
As the sun sets, the weather will be similar to FP1, hovering around 25°C with 48% humidity—noticeably milder than the extreme conditions drivers faced at this venue in earlier years. The desert air will give the race a real-feel temperature of about 28°C, meaning heat management will still be important.
A gentle 10 mph wind may influence braking stability, but conditions remain dry with zero chance of rain, allowing drivers to push aggressively through the 23-lap sprint.
Grand Prix Qualifying – 9:00 PM (AST)
Later in the evening, temperatures will drop further to around 23°C. While comfortable for spectators and drivers, the cooler track surface may make tyre warm-up more challenging, especially in the crucial first laps of qualifying runs.
No rain is expected, ensuring the battle for pole position should unfold without weather-related disruptions.
Sunday, November 30 – The Qatar Grand Prix
The main event begins under the Lusail floodlights at 7:00 PM (AST), and the weather looks ideal for a competitive and uninterrupted race.
Temperatures are set at 24°C, though humidity—around 58%—will make it feel nearer to 28°C. While warm, these conditions are far more manageable than the severe heat that caused driver distress in the infamous 2023 Qatar GP. Additionally, FIA regulations now allow the use of driver cooling systems when heat thresholds are met, reducing the risk of heat-related issues.
This year’s race is expected to be a mandatory two-stop strategy, adding tactical complexity to the 57-lap event. Light winds are predicted—less intense than on Friday and Saturday—helping drivers maintain consistency through Lusail’s fast, sweeping corners and heavy braking zones.
No rainfall or disruptive weather is forecast, ensuring the championship contenders—Norris, Piastri, and Verstappen—can battle in straightforward conditions as the title fight reaches boiling point.
Stay tuned throughout the week as updates to the Qatar weather forecast become available, especially if humidity patterns shift or winds strengthen before race day.
