Built in under a year by approximately 1,000 workers at a cost of US$58 million, the circuit opened in 2004 and immediately hosted the inaugural Qatar motorcycle Grand Prix, won by Sete Gibernau. Its rapid construction was driven by Qatar's ambition to establish itself as a destination for international motorsport, and the track's desert setting required ongoing maintenance measures to preserve the racing surface.
In 2007, Lusail became one of the first circuits in the world to install permanent outdoor lighting for night racing. The Musco Lighting system installed at that time was the largest permanent venue sports lighting project in the world, a distinction later claimed by Abu Dhabi's Yas Marina Circuit. The first night race in MotoGP history took place at Lusail in March 2008 at the Qatar motorcycle Grand Prix.
The circuit first hosted MotoGP from its opening in 2004, and the event became a fixture on the calendar as the traditional season opener for the premier motorcycle class. The Superbike World Championship visited Lusail from 2005 to 2009 and again from 2014 to 2019. The World Touring Car Championship held its Race of Qatar at the venue from 2015 to 2017, and a GP2 Asia Series night race took place there in February 2009.
Formula One arrived at Lusail in 2021, when the circuit hosted the 20th round of that season as the inaugural Qatar Grand Prix. Prior to the second edition of the Formula One event, the circuit underwent significant renovation: facilities were upgraded and spectator capacity was expanded from 8,000 to 52,000, reflecting the growing global profile of the venue.
From 2024, the FIA World Endurance Championship established Lusail as the host of its season-opening round, the Qatar 1812 km, along with the championship's pre-season Prologue testing sessions.
The track measures 5.419 km with a main straight of 1.068 km, and its layout is suited to high-speed flowing corners. The artificial grass surrounding the circuit is a practical solution to the constant challenge of sand drift in the Qatari desert environment. The FIA Grade 1 license allows the venue to host the highest categories of international motorsport.
The official Formula One lap record stands at 1:22.384, set by Lando Norris driving for McLaren in the 2024 Qatar Grand Prix. The fastest qualifying lap on record is 1:19.387, set by Oscar Piastri for McLaren during the 2025 Qatar Grand Prix.
Lusail has established Qatar as a credible host of elite international motorsport across multiple disciplines. Its pioneering permanent night-race lighting installation helped shape the direction of nighttime racing events worldwide. The circuit's expansion and infrastructure investment ahead of its Formula One debut reflected broader ambitions for Qatar as an international sporting destination, paralleling the country's hosting of other major global events. Its dual role hosting both Formula One and MotoGP season-opening or season-closing rounds positions it among the most prominent circuits in the world motorsport calendar.