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Losail International Circuit
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| Losail International Circuit | |
| Location | Doha, Qatar |
|---|---|
| Active from | N/A - present |
| Major events | GP2 Asia, SpeedCar |
| Surface | N/A |
| Length | 3.375 mi (5.380 km) |
| Turns | 16 |
| Lap record | 1:38.699 (Davide Rigon, Trident Racing, GP2 Asia Series, 2009<ref name="GP2">Losail International Circuit, Qatar 2009 - GP2 Asia results - autoevolution.com</ref>, class) |
Losail International Circuit is a motor racing circuit located just outside Doha in the Persian Gulf State of Qatar.
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 too much onto the track.
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, took place a GP2 Asia Series nighttime race. Best qualifying lap was achieved by Nico Hülkenberg in 1'35.741<ref name="GP2"/>.
