Formula 1 drivers are renowned for their speed, yet even they have been left in awe by the astonishing velocity witnessed in Qatar this weekend. The track's characteristics and various factors have combined to create a truly remarkable racing environment.

Uncover the Secrets Behind Qatar's F1 Speed Surge

Surface and Weather Impact

Pirelli F1 chief engineer Simone Berra emphasizes the significance of a better surface after a year of weathering and the lower temperatures. "The track conditions this year are much superior compared to last year. The grip level is significantly higher, which allows the cars to reach incredible speeds. Additionally, the much lower temperatures, around 20 degrees lower than last year, have a profound impact. Cooler air is denser, enhancing both engine performance and downforce. This combination leads to a significant boost in lap times," Berra explains.The change in the date of the Qatar Grand Prix, from early October in 2023 to late November now, has also played a crucial role. "The cooler weather has had a positive effect on the tyres, preventing overheating and enabling them to deliver more grip. It has also had an impact on the overall performance of the cars," Berra adds.Another weather factor is the wind. "The conditions in Qatar this year seem to be much improved in terms of wind direction and strength. This makes the cars easier to drive and contributes to the overall speed advantage," says Oscar Piastri.

Car Developments and Gains

Teams have had an extra 12 months to work on car developments, and Berra believes this is worth more than half a second compared to last year. "This one year of continuous work has had a significant effect. Usually, we see improvements of seven or eight tenths. When we combine all these factors together, it leads to these very fast lap times," he states.During sprint qualifying, an analysis of GPS traces shows just how much faster the cars are going through some of the turns at Losail. For example, taking the swoop through Turn 14, where George Russell committed to full throttle and faced engine issues, the speed improvement between last year and this year is a staggering 20-25 km/h. And the cars are expected to go even faster tonight.Lando Norris, who snatched pole for the sprint race on Friday evening, shares his thoughts. "I struggle too, but I think some of the other cars are close to being flat in most of the corners in the final sector. It's quite an accomplishment. When it feels quick, it must be very fast," he says.The drivers are now bracing themselves for a challenging remainder of the Qatar Grand Prix weekend, with likely brave calls to be made in terms of pushing the limits.