2023 Qatar Grand Prix#Sprint

The event was held across the weekend of 6–8 October. It was the seventeenth round of the 2023 Formula One World Championship and the second running of the Qatar Grand Prix. The weekend was the fourth of six in the season to follow the sprint format.{{cite web |title=F1 Calendar 2023 |url=https://f1calendar.com/ |access-date=July 10, 2023 |website=F1 Calendar |archive-date=17 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230517142449/https://f1calendar.com/ |url-status=live }}{{verification failed|date=October 2023|reason=Does not state which running of the GP this is.}} It marked the return of the Qatar Grand Prix to the World Championship after a one year absence. This was because the event was not run in 2022 in order to avoid interfering with Qatar's responsibility for hosting the 2022 FIFA World Cup. It was also the first Qatar Grand Prix to be part of a season's original schedule, as the inaugural running of the event in 2021 was held as a substitute event for the cancelled 2021 Australian Grand Prix which was cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia. The race was the first of a ten-year contract with the FIA until 2032.{{cite web|last=Cooper|first=Adam|title=F1 confirms Qatar GP on 2021 calendar as part of long-term deal|url=https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/f1-confirms-qatar-gp-on-2021-calendar-as-part-of-long-term-deal/6678313/|work=Autosport|date=30 September 2021|access-date=23 July 2024}}{{cite news|title=Qatar enters the F1 world|url=https://thepeninsulaqatar.com/editorial/10/10/2021/Qatar-enters-the-F1-world|work=The Peninsula|date=10 October 2021|access-date=23 July 2024}}

Coming into the weekend, Max Verstappen led the Drivers' Championship by 177 points from teammate Sergio Pérez, with Lewis Hamilton third, a further 33 points behind. Red Bull Racing, having secured the title at the preceding Japanese Grand Prix, led the Constructors' Championship over Mercedes by 318 points and Ferrari by a further 20 points.{{cite web |date=September 23, 2023 |title=Japan 2023 – Championship |url=https://www.statsf1.com/en/2023/japon/championnat.aspx |access-date=September 24, 2023 |website=StatsF1.com |archive-date=9 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231009151830/https://www.statsf1.com/en/2023/japon/championnat.aspx |url-status=live }}

World Drivers' Championship leader Verstappen had an opportunity to secure his third consecutive title. He could have achieved it by finishing sixth in the sprint, with Pérez winning. Had Verstappen not scored in the sprint and Pérez had won, Verstappen would still only have had to finish eighth in the Grand Prix – regardless of Pérez's result – to win the title. Verstappen would have won the title as his advantage would have been the same as the number of remaining obtainable points in the season (146), but Pérez would not have been able to win on a tiebreaker due to Verstappen achieving more wins than Pérez, even if Pérez had gone on to win the remaining Grands Prix.{{cite web|access-date=September 13, 2023|date=September 12, 2023|title=Points permutations: How Verstappen can become the 2023 F1 world champion in Qatar|url=https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article.points-permutations-where-and-when-verstappen-can-become-the-2023-f1-world.412HcLWdfHinODX0u0sIub.html|website=Formula 1|archive-date=14 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230914203727/https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article.points-permutations-where-and-when-verstappen-can-become-the-2023-f1-world.412HcLWdfHinODX0u0sIub.html|url-status=live}}

{{see also|2023 Formula One World Championship#Entries}}

The drivers and teams were the same as the season entry list, with the exception of Liam Lawson, who was in the seat originally held by Nyck de Vries.{{cite web |date=October 6, 2023 |title=2023 Qatar Grand Prix – Entry List |url=https://www.fia.com/sites/default/files/decision-document/2023%20Qatar%20Grand%20Prix%20-%20Entry%20List.pdf |access-date=October 6, 2023 |publisher=Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile |archive-date=6 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231006180207/https://www.fia.com/sites/default/files/decision-document/2023%20Qatar%20Grand%20Prix%20-%20Entry%20List.pdf |url-status=live }}{{Efn|Nyck de Vries was originally replaced by Daniel Ricciardo from the Hungarian Grand Prix onwards.{{cite web |url=https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article.breaking-ricciardo-to-replace-de-vries-at-alphatauri-from-the-hungarian.2yhnzxE6XpSUZwzHfr9rXp.html |title=Breaking: Ricciardo to replace De Vries at AlphaTauri from the Hungarian Grand Prix |website=Formula 1 |date=July 11, 2023 |access-date=28 September 2023 |archive-date=3 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231103191724/https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article.breaking-ricciardo-to-replace-de-vries-at-alphatauri-from-the-hungarian.2yhnzxE6XpSUZwzHfr9rXp.html |url-status=live }} Ricciardo was subsequently replaced by Liam Lawson whilst Ricciardo recovered from a broken metacarpal bone which he suffered following a crash during the second practice of the Dutch Grand Prix.{{cite web|url=https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article.alphatauri-confirm-lawson-will-race-at-monza-and-until-ricciardo-is-ready-to.3mlH3r1szYXScfnWSsizzN.html|title=AlphaTauri confirm Lawson will race at Monza – and until Ricciardo is ready to return to action|website=Formula 1|date=August 28, 2023|access-date=August 28, 2023|archive-date=1 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230901183916/https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article.alphatauri-confirm-lawson-will-race-at-monza-and-until-ricciardo-is-ready-to.3mlH3r1szYXScfnWSsizzN.html|url-status=live}}}} {{As of|2024|11}}, Liam Lawson is in a full time race seat with VCARB.{{Cite web |title=Liam Lawson |url=https://www.statsf1.com/en/liam-lawson.aspx |access-date=2024-03-16 |website=Statsf1.com}}

{{further|Formula One tyres}}

Tyre supplier Pirelli brought the C1, C2 and C3 tyre compounds (designated hard, medium, and soft, respectively) for teams to use at the event.{{cite news|url=https://press.pirelli.com/unchanged-nominations-for-singapore-japan-and-qatar--in-name-at-least/|title=Unchanged nominations for Singapore, Japan and Qatar – In name at least|date=August 30, 2023|access-date=September 28, 2023|website=Pirelli.com|archive-date=20 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230920044450/https://press.pirelli.com/unchanged-nominations-for-singapore-japan-and-qatar--in-name-at-least/|url-status=live}}

After the free practice session and qualifying, Pirelli's analysis of the used tyres gave them concern about damage from the track's kerbs. The previous running of the event in 2021 was notable for four front-left tyre failures, which led to the retirements of two drivers.{{cite web|last1=Maher|first1=Thomas|last2=Rencken|first2=Dieter|date=November 22, 2021|url=https://racingnews365.com/pirelli-reveal-what-they-suspect-caused-qatar-gp-tyre-failures|title=Pirelli reveal what they suspect caused Qatar GP tyre failures|website=RacingNews365|access-date=October 10, 2023|archive-date=5 October 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231005151113/https://racingnews365.com/pirelli-reveal-what-they-suspect-caused-qatar-gp-tyre-failures|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last=Cleeren|first=Filip|date=December 3, 2021|url=https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/pirelli-kerb-use-behind-qatar-f1-tyre-failures/6846421/|title=Pirelli: Kerb use behind Qatar GP F1 tyre failures|website=Autosport.com|access-date=October 10, 2023|archive-date=5 October 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231005151112/https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/pirelli-kerb-use-behind-qatar-f1-tyre-failures/6846421/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last=Khorounzhiy|first=Valentin|date=December 3, 2021|url=https://the-race.com/formula-1/likely-cause-of-f1-qatar-tyre-failures-revealed/|title=Likely cause of F1 Qatar tyre failures revealed|website=The Race|access-date=October 10, 2023|archive-date=6 October 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231006221058/https://www.the-race.com/formula-1/likely-cause-of-f1-qatar-tyre-failures-revealed/|url-status=live}} As a response, the track limits at turns 12 and 13 were altered before the sprint shootout and a ten minute acclimatisation session was added to the schedule on Saturday.{{Cite web |title=FIA announce additional practice session and safety measures for Qatar GP weekend {{!}} Formula 1® |url=https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article/fia-announce-additional-practice-session-and-safety-measures-for-qatar-gp.6KiVt8iMqSUj47dv4knawg |access-date=2024-11-27 |website=Formula 1® - The Official F1® Website |language=en}} The FIA stated that should the tyre concerns persist following the sprint, they would introduce a limit on the maximum number of laps that tyres could be run: 20 laps for the first set of tyres, and 22 laps for subsequent sets, including laps from previous sessions. This would require each driver to make at least three in-race pit stops for tyres.{{cite web |date=October 8, 2023 |title=FIA statement – Treatment of tyres for the 2023 FIA Formula 1 Qatar Grand Prix – Update |url=https://www.fia.com/news/fia-statement-treatment-tyres-2023-fia-formula-1-qatar-grand-prix-update |access-date=October 8, 2023 |website=Federation Internationale de l'Automobile |language=en |archive-date=8 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231008140044/https://www.fia.com/news/fia-statement-treatment-tyres-2023-fia-formula-1-qatar-grand-prix-update |url-status=live }}

Due to the frequency of safety cars in the sprint, the tyre data available for analysis by Pirelli was insufficient to add to that already undertaken following the previous track sessions. Before Sunday's race, the FIA amended the maximum number of laps tyres could be run to 18 laps per each set of tyres, down from 20. The mandate to perform three pit-stops was removed, although this remained the consequence of the 18 laps per tyre set rule. Laps run behind the safety car would not be counted towards a tyre's life with regards to the 18 lap limit, meaning a safety car intervention during the race could make a two stop strategy permissible. The rule marked the first time the FIA has enforced stint lengths in a Formula One race for safety reasons.{{cite news |last1=Smith |first1=Luke |title=Qatar GP will be a 3-stop race as FIA enforces 18-lap maximum tire stint length |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/4941294/2023/10/08/qatar-gp-tire-problem-pit-stops-pirelli/ |access-date=October 9, 2023 |work=The Athletic |date=October 8, 2023 |language=en |archive-date=9 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231009151827/https://theathletic.com/4941294/2023/10/08/qatar-gp-tire-problem-pit-stops-pirelli/ |url-status=live }}

The only scheduled free practice session was held on 6 October 2023, at 16:30 local time (UTC+3). Max Verstappen topped the session, followed by the Ferrari drivers Carlos Sainz Jr. and Charles Leclerc in second and third, respectively.{{cite web |last=Gale |first=Ewan |date=October 6, 2023 |title=Qatar Grand Prix 2023 – F1 Free Practice results |url=https://racingnews365.com/2023-f1-qatar-grand-prix-free-practice-1-results |access-date=October 6, 2023 |website=Racingnews365 |archive-date=6 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231006180208/https://racingnews365.com/2023-f1-qatar-grand-prix-free-practice-1-results |url-status=live }} An extra track acclimatisation session, lasting ten minutes, was held on 7 October 2023, at 16:00 local time (UTC+3), to enable drivers to get used to circuit changes made in response to tyre concerns.{{cite news |last1=Noble |first1=Jonathan |title=F1 introduces emergency safety measures for Qatar GP amid tyre failure concerns |url=https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/f1-introduces-emergency-safety-measures-for-qatar-gp-amid-tyre-failure-concerns/10529807/ |access-date=October 9, 2023 |work=Motorsport.com |date=October 7, 2023 |language=en |archive-date=7 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231007123201/https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/f1-introduces-emergency-safety-measures-for-qatar-gp-amid-tyre-failure-concerns/10529807/ |url-status=live }}

Qualifying was held on 6 October 2023, at 20:00 local time (UTC+3), and determined the starting grid order for the main race.{{cite web |title=Qatar Grand Prix 2023 – F1 Race |url=https://www.formula1.com/en/racing/2023/Qatar.html |website=Formula 1 |access-date=September 28, 2023 |archive-date=5 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231105162702/https://www.formula1.com/en/racing/2023/Qatar.html |url-status=live }}

Max Verstappen topped the first and third segment, propelling him into pole position ahead of George Russell and Lewis Hamilton. The session was affected by numerous track limits violations which negatively affected Lando Norris, Oscar Piastri and Sergio Pérez, the last of whom had set a time quick enough to get into the third segment but had it deleted.{{cite web|last=Kalinauckas|first=Alex|title=F1 Qatar GP: Verstappen takes grand prix pole, Norris loses front row to track limits|url=https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/f1-qatar-gp-verstappen-takes-grand-prix-pole-norris-loses-front-row-to-track-limits/10529516/|work=Autosport|date=October 6, 2023|access-date=July 23, 2024}}

Lance Stroll experienced another Q1 exit, and in frustration appeared to shove his personal trainer after exiting his car.{{cite web |last=Woodhouse |first=Jamie |date=October 6, 2023 |title=Angry Lance Stroll clashes with trainer after latest Q1 exit in Qatar |url=https://www.planetf1.com/news/lance-stroll-furious-qatar-q1-exit |access-date=October 6, 2023 |website=PlanetF1 |language=en |archive-date=14 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231014080604/https://www.planetf1.com/news/lance-stroll-furious-qatar-q1-exit |url-status=live }} In a later interview with Autosport magazine, Stroll stated that he was on good terms with his trainer and had merely acted out of frustration.{{cite web |last=Anderson |first=Ben |date=October 8, 2023 |title=How Stroll faced a tough conversation about his Qatar outburst |url=https://www.the-race.com/formula-1/how-stroll-faced-tough-conversation-about-his-qatar-outburst/ |access-date=October 9, 2023 |website=The Race |language=en |archive-date=9 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231009070022/https://www.the-race.com/formula-1/how-stroll-faced-tough-conversation-about-his-qatar-outburst/ |url-status=live }}

;Notes

• {{note|1|1}} – Sergio Pérez qualified 13th, but he was required to start the race from the pit lane as the car was fitted with new power unit elements without the approval of the technical delegate during parc fermé and for the new chassis being considered a new car.{{cite web|url=https://www.fia.com/sites/default/files/decision-document/2023%20Qatar%20Grand%20Prix%20-%20Infringement%20-%20Car%2011%20-%20Changes%20made%20during%20Parc%20Ferme.pdf|title=Infringement – Car 11 – Changes made during Parc Ferme|publisher=Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile|date=October 8, 2023|access-date=October 20, 2023|archive-date=9 October 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231009211743/https://www.fia.com/sites/default/files/decision-document/2023%20Qatar%20Grand%20Prix%20-%20Infringement%20-%20Car%2011%20-%20Changes%20made%20during%20Parc%20Ferme.pdf|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.fia.com/sites/default/files/decision-document/2023%20Qatar%20Grand%20Prix%20-%20Infringement%20-%20Car%2011%20-%20PU%20Elements.pdf|title=Infringement – Car 11 – PU Elements|publisher=Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile|date=October 8, 2023|access-date=October 20, 2023|archive-date=9 October 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231009211754/https://www.fia.com/sites/default/files/decision-document/2023%20Qatar%20Grand%20Prix%20-%20Infringement%20-%20Car%2011%20-%20PU%20Elements.pdf|url-status=live}}

The sprint shootout was originally scheduled for 7 October 2023, at 16:00 local time (UTC+3), before being postponed to 16:20 due to an extra track acclimatisation session. It determined the starting grid order for the sprint.

Max Verstappen made a mistake which led to his track times being deleted, which opened the gates for the McLarens of Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris to punch through and take a one-two in qualification ahead of Verstappen. Meanwhile, Lance Stroll experienced another first segment elimination and Logan Sargeant's time was over the 107% rule but he was allowed to race under the stewards' discretion.{{cite web|title=Piastri beats Norris and Verstappen to pole during Sprint Shootout thriller in Qatar|url=https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article/piastri-beats-norris-and-verstappen-to-pole-during-sprint-shootout-thriller.h3TDLGGmRNbtWYfVzf0yb|work=Formula 1|date=October 7, 2023|access-date=July 23, 2024}}

;Notes

• {{note|2|1}} – Logan Sargeant failed to set a time within the 107% requirement. He was permitted to race in the sprint at the stewards' discretion.

The sprint was held on 7 October 2023, at 20:30 local time (UTC+3), and was run for 19 laps.{{cite news |last1=Coleman |first1=Madeline |title=F1 Qatar GP circuit breakdown: Lusail's a fast, twisty and novel challenge |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/4934882/2023/10/06/f1-qatar-gp-circuit-lusail/ |access-date=October 6, 2023 |work=The Athletic |date=October 6, 2023 |language=en |archive-date=14 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231014080453/https://theathletic.com/4934882/2023/10/06/f1-qatar-gp-circuit-lusail/ |url-status=live }}

Oscar Piastri took his and McLaren's first sprint victory ahead of Max Verstappen in second and Piastri's teammate Lando Norris in third. Verstappen secured his third consecutive Formula One World Championship after his teammate Sergio Pérez crashed out and was mathematically eliminated from contention. Piastri's sprint victory was his first competitive win of any sort since his final race in Formula 2.

The sprint saw the deployment of three safety cars and five retirements. Liam Lawson and Logan Sargeant both individually spun into the gravel, and Esteban Ocon, Pérez and Nico Hülkenberg crashed together after the Alpine locked up, running into Pérez's side pod and damaging Hülkenberg's front wing and suspension. It was deemed a racing incident by the stewards and no further action was taken.

Alexander Albon, starting in seventeenth, climbed up ten places to finish seventh. The points positions were rounded off by Fernando Alonso, finishing eighth. Meanwhile, Lance Stroll and Charles Leclerc fell foul of track limits and had five seconds added to their times following the race.{{cite web|url=https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article.verstappen-secures-third-f1-world-title-as-piastri-takes-sprint-victory-in.4d0SLopnXU9W8uzefnJmu3.html|title=Verstappen secures third F1 world title as Piastri takes Sprint victory in Qatar|website=Formula 1|date=October 7, 2023|access-date=October 7, 2023|archive-date=11 October 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231011012612/https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article.verstappen-secures-third-f1-world-title-as-piastri-takes-sprint-victory-in.4d0SLopnXU9W8uzefnJmu3.html|url-status=live}}

;Notes

• {{note|3|1}} – Charles Leclerc finished seventh on track, but he received a post-sprint five-second time penalty for exceeding track limits.
• {{note|4|2}} – Lance Stroll finished thirteenth on track, but he received a post-sprint five-second time penalty for exceeding track limits.

The race was held on 8 October 2023, at 20:00 local time (UTC+3), and was run for 57 laps.

Prior to the race, a fuel leak in Carlos Sainz Jr.'s car was discovered which prevented him from starting the race.{{cite web |last=Cleeren |first=Filip |date=October 8, 2023 |title=Sainz won't race in F1 Qatar GP after fuel system problem |url=https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/sainz-wont-race-in-f1-qatar-gp-after-fuel-system-problem/10530545/ |access-date=October 9, 2023 |website=Motorsport.com |archive-date=8 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231008185058/https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/sainz-wont-race-in-f1-qatar-gp-after-fuel-system-problem/10530545/ |url-status=live }} Lewis Hamilton retired from the race after turning into the Mercedes of George Russell at the first corner on lap 1, breaking the hub off his wheel and spinning into the gravel trap. The incident forced the Safety Car to be deployed in order to allow the marshals to remove his car and clear the debris safely. The safety car period ended on lap 4. Max Verstappen led all laps, recorded the fastest lap and won the race ahead of Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris, who both recovered from lower grid positions, resulting in the McLaren team's 500th and 501st podiums.{{cite web|title=The Qatar Grand Prix according to social media|url=https://www.mclaren.com/racing/formula-1/2023/qatar-grand-prix/the-qatar-grand-prix-according-to-social-media/|publisher=McLaren|date=October 9, 2023|access-date=July 23, 2024}} Meanwhile, Verstappen's teammate Sergio Pérez started from the pit lane, received a penalty for track limits, and recovered to tenth after Lance Stroll received a penalty.{{cite web|title=Verstappen cruises to Qatar GP victory over Piastri and Norris after Mercedes drivers collide|url=https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article/verstappen-cruises-to-qatar-gp-victory-over-piastri-and-norris-after.63iY0CEd0WFzm1y0Z4ycui|work=Formula 1|date=October 8, 2023|access-date=July 23, 2024}}

The race was run in challenging, hot conditions: in particular, Esteban Ocon vomited in his car twice but managed to finish the race in seventh, while Logan Sargeant chose to retire due to heat stroke and dehydration, exacerbated by flu-like symptoms he already had coming into the weekend.{{cite web |last=Cleeren |first=Filip |date=October 9, 2023 |title=Sargeant cleared after retiring from F1 Qatar GP with heatstroke |url=https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/sargeant-cleared-after-retiring-from-f1qatar-gp-with-heatstroke/10530695/ |access-date=October 9, 2023 |website=Motorsport.com |archive-date=9 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231009105541/https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/sargeant-cleared-after-retiring-from-f1qatar-gp-with-heatstroke/10530695/ |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last=McDonagh |first=Connor |date=October 8, 2023 |title=The F1 driver that was "passing out" and had "blurred" vision in Qatar GP |url=https://www.crash.net/f1/news/1037761/1/f1-driver-was-passing-out-and-had-blurred-vision-qatar-gp |access-date=October 9, 2023 |work=Crash |language=en |archive-date=9 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231009230407/https://www.crash.net/f1/news/1037761/1/f1-driver-was-passing-out-and-had-blurred-vision-qatar-gp |url-status=live }} Sargeant's teammate Alexander Albon was also sent to the medical centre after the race due to heat exposure. Lance Stroll also went directly to the medical centre after the race,{{cite web |last=Hughes |first=Mark |date=October 9, 2023 |title='Still too early to be racing in Qatar': F1 drivers go flat-out in hellish GP |url=https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/articles/single-seaters/f1/still-too-early-to-be-racing-in-qatar-f1-drivers-go-flat-out-in-hellish-gp/ |access-date=October 14, 2023 |website=Motor Sport Magazine |language=en-GB |archive-date=12 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231012170947/https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/articles/single-seaters/f1/still-too-early-to-be-racing-in-qatar-f1-drivers-go-flat-out-in-hellish-gp/ |url-status=live }} and said he was "passing out" in the car and suffered blurred vision.{{cite web |last=Suttill |first=Josh |last2=Anderson |first2=Ben |last3=Straw |first3=Edd |date=October 8, 2023 |title=Passing out and vomiting - F1 drivers' Qatar GP nightmare |url=https://www.the-race.com/formula-1/passing-out-and-vomiting-f1-drivers-qatar-gp-nightmare/ |access-date=October 9, 2023 |website=The Race |language=en |archive-date=9 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231009230408/https://www.the-race.com/formula-1/passing-out-and-vomiting-f1-drivers-qatar-gp-nightmare/ |url-status=live }} Russell said he was close to losing consciousness at the end of the race. Many drivers, including Piastri,{{cite web |last=Cleeren |first=Filip |date=October 8, 2023 |title=Piastri: 57 qualifying laps made Qatar F1 "hardest race of my life" |url=https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/piastri-57-qualifying-laps-made-qatar-f1-hardest-race-of-my-life/10530637/ |access-date=October 9, 2023 |website=Motorsport.com |language=en |archive-date=9 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231009230407/https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/piastri-57-qualifying-laps-made-qatar-f1-hardest-race-of-my-life/10530637/ |url-status=live }} Charles Leclerc, Russell, Ocon, Verstappen, and Norris said it was the most physically demanding race of their careers.

McLaren, servicing Norris, set the new record for the fastest pit stop completed in 1.80 seconds. The previous record was set at the 2019 Brazilian Grand Prix by Red Bull Racing at 1.82 seconds, servicing Verstappen.{{cite web|url=https://inmotion.dhl/en/formula-1/fastest-pit-stop-award/|title=Formula 1 DHL Fastest Pit Stop Award|date=October 8, 2023|access-date=October 8, 2023|archive-date=31 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190331073322/https://inmotion.dhl/en/formula-1/fastest-pit-stop-award/|url-status=live}}{{cite news |last1=Jackson |first1=Kieran |title=McLaren set astonishing new F1 record after Lando Norris pit stop |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/f1/f1-mclaren-pit-stop-lando-norris-qatar-b2426617.html |access-date=October 26, 2023 |work=The Independent |date=October 9, 2023 |language=en |archive-date=26 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231026153832/https://www.independent.co.uk/f1/f1-mclaren-pit-stop-lando-norris-qatar-b2426617.html |url-status=live }}

Notes

• {{note|5|1}} – Includes one point for fastest lap.
• {{note|6|2}} – Sergio Pérez finished eleventh, but he received a five-second time penalty for exceeding track limits. He gained a position following Lance Stroll's penalty.
• {{note|7|3}} – Lance Stroll finished ninth, but he received two five-second time penalties for exceeding track limits.
• {{note|8|4}} – Pierre Gasly finished tenth, but he received two five-second time penalties for exceeding track limits.
• {{note|9|5}} – Alexander Albon received two five-second time penalties for exceeding track limits. His final position was not affected by the penalty.
• {{note|10|6}} – Nico Hülkenberg was due to start the race from fourteenth place, but he erroneously started from the twelfth grid slot which had been left vacant by Carlos Sainz Jr. being unable to start. He received a ten-second time penalty for the infraction.
• {{note|11|7}} – Carlos Sainz Jr. did not start the race due to a fuel leak. His place on the grid was erroneously occupied by Nico Hülkenberg who left the fourteenth place vacant.

{{for|full season standings|2023 Formula One World Championship#Results and standings}}

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;Drivers' Championship standings

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;Constructors' Championship standings

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• Note: Only the top five positions are included for both sets of standings.
• Competitors in bold and marked with an asterisk are the 2023 World Champions.

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{{F1 race report|Name_of_race=Qatar Grand Prix|Year_of_race=2023|Previous_race_in_season=2023 Japanese Grand Prix|Next_race_in_season=2023 United States Grand Prix|Previous_year's_race=2021 Qatar Grand Prix|Next_year's_race=2024 Qatar Grand Prix}}

{{F1GP 2020–29}}

Qatar

Grand Prix

Qatar Grand Prix

2023