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Topics: Formula 1, Max Verstappen, Motorsport, Spotlight
I witnessed Max Verstappen put on a masterclass at the 2025 Qatar Grand Prix thanks to Destination 2 - and next year, so can you.
The Red Bull driver came into the Qatar weekend knowing he needed something special to stay in the race for the 2025 Drivers’ Championship, while McLaren teammates Oscar Piastri and championship leader Lando Norris were also vying for gold.
Norris entered the weekend knowing it could be the one in which he secured his maiden crown, but it wasn’t to be. His teammate and fellow championship hopeful Piastri was fastest in both qualifying and the Sprint, before finishing second behind Verstappen in the Grand Prix.
Meanwhile, Norris came home in fourth, meaning the three-way pursuit of the championship would go down to the final race weekend in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
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And although the 26-year-old fell short of becoming the first Brit since Lewis Hamilton to be crowned world champion, the experience was certainly one to remember for several reasons.
Football legends David Beckham, Rio Ferdinand, Gary Neville and Steven Gerrard were all spotted at the race, while TV personality Maya Jama and actress Jessica Alba were also in attendance.
So, why should you travel to Doha for the 2026 Qatar Grand Prix courtesy of Destination 2?
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Well, the list is endless, but I’ll evaluate the experience using just a few of the many reasons.
Since its introduction to the F1 calendar in 2021, the circuit - which is around a 30-minute drive from Doha city centre - has quickly become a fan favourite. For first-time F1 goers like me, it was obvious as soon as I walked towards the entry gates that the Lusail International Circuit was something to behold.
As soon as I stepped into the concourse, I was met with an array of entertaining activities: F1 SimRacing, the Pit Stop Challenge, F1 Driver Selfie and Podium, the “This is F1® 4D” cinematic show, the Blast Lane wind tunnel and virtual pit tours, as well as several well-known food outlets, including Shake Shack and Pinkberry Frozen Yoghurt.
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Of course, you may be wondering whether the desert is suitable for hosting such an occasion due to the temperature, but this was not an issue, as the race takes place in winter, when the average temperature sits between 21 and 30°C.
The temperature is likely to drop below this as the night progresses, with the Grand Prix getting underway well into the evening at 7pm and finishing around two hours later.
However, for those wanting some winter sun alongside a trip to the F1, the daytime temperature ranges between 25 and 30°C, which is more than warm enough to relax by the pool or on one of the city’s many picturesque beaches.
Included in Destination 2’s package is a general admission ticket, which allows free rein of the pristine elevated grassy bank and F1 fanzone, where you can catch a clear view of all the action on Turn 1 of the penultimate race of the campaign while also being just a few steps away from yet more refreshment kiosks.
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For the more avid F1 fans, the Qatar race stands out due to the smooth, fast pace of the track itself, which lends itself to nail-biting action — especially given the jeopardy often involved with the penultimate race of the campaign.
During the 2025 weekend, the long straights provided high-speed contests and plenty of overtaking throughout the Grand Prix, with Nico Hülkenberg and Pierre Gasly colliding right in front of Turn 1 spectators during lap seven.
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As expected, Verstappen wasted no time in overtaking Norris at lights out, setting the tone for a thoroughly entertaining race before holding off Piastri to take the win.
The 3.367-mile circuit, which contains 16 turns, combines a series of high-speed corners in sector one before drivers face trickier lower-speed turns in sector two, with high-speed corners resuming in sector three — the circuit’s designated DRS zone. It is also one of just six weekends to feature a Sprint race, alongside Shanghai, Miami, Belgium, Austin and Brazil.
If you aren’t already exhilarated enough by 20 F1 drivers reaching speeds in excess of 220 mph, then you certainly will be by the post-race entertainment on offer at the Lusail International Circuit.
At the 2025 edition of the race weekend, soul artist Seal serenaded crowds following the Friday practice session, before Khaled wowed spectators after Saturday’s qualifying.
Then, after Verstappen secured victory in Sunday’s dramatic race, world-renowned rock band Metallica took to the stage with an energetic performance, leaving fans heading home with smiles on their faces and memories that will last a lifetime. It was even apparent that some diehard fans left the F1 early in order to secure their spot at the concert - or were they just Lando fans?
Aside from enjoying three days of action at the circuit, I was also lucky enough to experience the delights of the Qatari capital, Doha.
The city is a blend of modern-day architecture — with glitzy skyscrapers almost everywhere you look — alongside its traditional Arab roots.
During my five-day trip — during which I stayed at the classy, centrally located four-star Radisson Blu Hotel — I visited many interesting sites, including the beautiful Pearl-Qatar, the bustling Souq Waqif, and the artistic Katara Cultural Village. I also explored some of Qatar’s many world-class shopping malls, with the Villaggio Mall even featuring an ice rink and gondola service. The complex is just a stone’s throw from Khalifa International Stadium, which hosted six group matches and the third-place match during the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
But if shopping isn’t for you and you’re after a more authentic Arabic experience, then what better activity than booking a day out in the desert?
I did exactly that on the final day of my trip and enjoyed dune bashing in a 4x4 vehicle before riding a camel, sandboarding down the steep slopes, and swimming in the Inland Sea, with views of Saudi Arabia across the water.
After reading all of that, you may now want to experience the Qatar Grand Prix first-hand, and you can do exactly that from £999pp through Destination 2.
Packages include a four-night stay at a four-star hotel with bed and breakfast included (subject to availability), with flights from various UK airports, with a three-day Grand Prix ticket.
For further details, click here.
And if you want to attend another race weekend but Qatar has already been ticked off your list, rest assured, Destination 2 has you covered.
A further nine Grand Prix packages – in Japan, Barcelona, Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, Abu Dhabi, Singapore, Miami and Azerbaijan – are on offer in 2026, with prices starting at £849pp.
For further details on the aforementioned Grand Prix packages, click here.