Losail International Circuit

Losail International Circuit (Arabic: حلبة لوسيل الدولية) is a motor racing circuit located just outside in the town of Lusail, north of Doha, Qatar.

Losail International Circuit

Location	Lusail, Qatar
Time zone	GMT +3
Capacity	8,000
FIA Grade	1
Major events	Qatar motorcycle Grand Prix GP2 Asia, SpeedCar, SBK 8 Hours of Doha FIA WTCC Race of Qatar
Length	5.380 km (3.375 mi)
Turns	16
Race lap record	1:38.699 (Davide Rigon, Trident Racing, GP2 Asia Series, 2009[1])
Website	www.circuitlosail.com

2016 FIA WTCC Race of Qatar

View from the Grandstand

Built in just under a year by 1,000 workers at the cost of $US 58 million, the track opened in 2004 to the inaugural Marlboro Grand Prix of Qatar, won by Sete Gibernau. In addition the circuit hosted the 2006 Grand Prix Masters of Qatar won by Nigel Mansell.

The track is 5.380 km in length, with a main straight of just over a kilometre at 1,068 metres. It is surrounded by artificial grass to stop the sand encroaching on the track. It happens to be somewhat similar to the Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir.

In 2007, Losail added permanent outdoor lighting for night races. At the time, the lighting of the Losail Circuit by Musco Lighting was the largest permanent venue sports lighting project in the world, a distinction that now belongs to another Gulf motorsport venue, Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi. The first night race in MotoGP history was the Commercialbank Grand Prix of Qatar in March 2008.

In February 2009, a GP2 Asia Series nighttime race took place. Best qualifying lap was achieved by Nico Hülkenberg in 1:35.741.[1]

The Superbike World Championship has visited Losail from 2005-2009 and 2014-present. In addition, the venue has hosted the opening round of the FIM Motocross World Championship since 2013.