BY MOHAMMAD TARIQUE SALEEM
His Highness the Amir of the State of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, tonight attended the thrilling conclusion of the Qatar Airways Formula 1 Grand Prix 2025 at the floodlit Lusail International Circuit, marking the climax of an electrifying weekend of motorsport.
The Amir was joined by His Excellency President of the Republic of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov, and His Excellency the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani. Also present were a number of Their Excellencies Sheikhs, Ministers, senior state officials, ambassadors, and distinguished guests from Qatar and abroad.
As the lights went out for the 57-lap race, a capacity crowd of over 70,000 spectators witnessed another spectacular showcase on the 5.419 km circuit that has become one of the most popular stops on the Formula 1 calendar since its debut in 2021. The event, flawlessly organized by the Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation (QMMF) in partnership with Qatar Airways and Lusail International Circuit, once again demonstrated Qatar’s ability to host world-class sporting spectacles.
Throughout the weekend, the Lusail International Circuit hosted a full programme of support races, fan zones, and concerts, further cementing Qatar’s growing reputation as a global hub for major international events. The successful staging of the Grand Prix comes just three years after Qatar hosted its inaugural Formula 1 race in 2021 and underlines the country’s long-term commitment to the sport through its ten-year agreement signed in 2022.
The presence of His Highness the Amir at the season’s penultimate round highlighted the strategic importance Qatar places on sport as a platform for international engagement and soft-power diplomacy. The Qatar Airways Formula 1 Grand Prix 2025 once again placed the nation firmly in the global spotlight, with hundreds of millions of television viewers worldwide tuning in to the high-speed drama under the desert night sky.
