Qatar is hosting the Formula One World Championship and is embracing the power of automobiles.

 A look at how the automobile, supercars, and racing have influenced and continue to define Qatari culture is the subject of this documentary.

Drift and drag are two terms that are used to describe how something moves.

The Qatar Racing Club is in charge of putting on the country's drag and drift competitions. Cars may travel at speeds of more than 500 km/h and cross finish lines in a matter of seconds. A popular kind of motorsport in Qatar is drag racing, which is a competition between two automobiles and their drivers. Mechanics labor tirelessly to prepare each high-performance car for racing, while authorities keep an eye on the circuit to ensure that drivers are not in danger.

"...far more enjoyable than any other contest..." Mustapha Atat, also known as (Al Anabi Performance driver)

"Drag racing is a difficult sport that demands a high level of talent. Safety and route preparation take up the bulk of the time. "It is more thrilling than any other race," says Mustapha Atat of Al Anabi Performance. "It is more exhilarating than any other race."

The drivers must think about traction, suspension techniques, and starting quickly enough to guarantee that they are among the first in their respective classes, among other things. However, it seems that the most successful drag racers possess more than simply technical abilities.

"You either have it or you don't have it in drag racing," says the driver. It's all about the feelings. According to Mustapha, "you can't coach someone who is in the incorrect frame of mind."

However, the club does much more than only host drag acts. Abdullah Al Mothaseb is the driving force behind the Brothers Team for Drift. As of2016, he has been drifting competitively and often attends events at the Qatar Racing Club and other venues in the area. Drivers' ability to maintain a straight line, vehicle angle, competence, and overall performance are all evaluated in this test.

In order to drive safely, the driver's senses must be perfectly coordinated with the vehicle's many components. According to Abdullah, "you have to feel the tyres, feel the engine, feel the steering wheel, feel the gear lever." "You have to be able to feel the brakes, clutch, and clutch pedal," says the instructor.

Abdullah also owns an auto repair business, where he works on automobiles before and after contests to keep them running smoothly. Because of the temperature in Qatar, it is necessary to do regular automobile maintenance.

"It seems like the car is overheating," the driver acknowledges. The fact that you are driving on a circuit is one of the most critical elements to keep in mind "He goes into detail.

Qatar welcomes the Formula One season.

For the next 10 years, the Losail International Circuit will host the premier event in the sport. Losail has been the site of the MotoGP championships every year since 2004. According to the F1 officials, just a modest amount of maintenance was necessary to make the circuit suitable for the race.

Consequently, the course itself and its layout have remained unchanged; we have only amended minor safety elements to ensure that they fit the requirements of the International Federation of Automobiles (FIA). Amro Al-Hamad is the general manager of the Losail Circuit Sports Club.

Al-Hamad says that it is more about the experience than it is about hosting a large-scale athletic event in public. It is more of a celebration, rather than a competition, according to him, while describing Formula 1. It is dependent on a variety of factors. By emphasizing the human aspect or experience, a recent program such as Netflix's Drive to Survive, for example, has provided viewers with a deeper understanding of what goes on behind the scenes. Prior to the invention of the internet, the majority of people were primarily engaged in racing and interacting with drivers. The sport of vehicle racing on a track is now well known for a variety of reasons other than only the activity itself."

His ambitions also include the establishment of a Karting Academy in Qatar, which he hopes will serve to inspire the future generation.

"Even before we were awarded the Formula One contract to host the event in Qatar, we were doing study on the sport's grassroots." How can we locate the next Nasser Al Attiyah and help him get recognition? We have also established a new branch, the Karting Academy, which is now accepting applications from young enthusiasts with the goal of assisting them in their development as possible professional racing drivers."

The Qatari way of life is cruel.

Rare supercars, ranging from Ferraris to McLarens, may be seen cruising around Doha's streets at a moderate pace. But what is it that ignites a desire for luxury automobile collecting?

Mohammed Al Kubaisi has a Lamborghini Countach '89, which is a very uncommon model.

"I used to be really enthralled with automobiles." As a result, exotic automobiles such as Lamborghinis and Ferraris are among my favorite things. Elite Supercars was founded in 2014 with the goal of [establishing] a supercar club in Doha.

Mohammed is one of many auto aficionados who collects rare and exotic supercars, some of which are worth millions of dollars.

You do not, however, have to be a petrolhead to participate.

A 2022 Ferrari SF90 Stradale owned by His Majesty Sheikh Saif Bin Nasser Al-Thani claims he purchased the vehicle because of its technical advancements. The vehicle is powered by a V8 engine with twin turbochargers and three electric motors.

According to Jassim Al Emadi, CEO of McLaren Doha, the club enables him to share his love for racing with others by providing a social environment.

"We've made significant progress. It is not just for vehicle purchasers and owners, but for everybody who is interested in automobiles. It's a whole lot more complex than that. It's always a delight to educate the general audience about the intriguing design and technical features of automobiles." There are people of all ages, even children."

A nostalgic stroll down memory lane

Automobiles have always been seen as important in Qatari culture. Since the 1960s and 1970s, the automobile industry has steadily shifted its emphasis away from gasoline-powered cars and toward vehicles with higher levels of safety. The expansion of the automotive sector is a powerful statement. Several viewpoints give an insight inside the automobile and the country of Qatar.

The Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim Al Thani Museum has over 600 automobiles on display. There is something for everyone here, from the world's earliest motorized vehicles (such as the 1900 Benz Ideal) through the most costly automobiles ever built. Simply walking through the museum will provide you with a wealth of historical information.

According to Claudio Cravero, the director of the Museum, they also play a significant role in the construction of bridges between civilizations.

One of the vehicles in the collection is a Chrysler with enhanced safety features, which will be used to carry Qatar's fourth king. In addition, a Dodge Power Wagon, which was a popular hunting vehicle in the 1940s and 1950s, is featured. Then there are the automobiles, which serve to illustrate Qatar's recent past.

"In this scenario, the Chevrolet was elevated to the status of a symbol of Qatari tenacity. When the embargo on Qatar was imposed in 2017, the museum decided to open this automobile and let the public to sign up for rides in it "Cravero expresses himself.

Eisa Nasser Al Kaabi was inspired by the museum's collection after seeing it. On his family's 100-year-old farm, he decided to create his own boutique museum.

"This automobile was purchased by my late father in 1991, when I was a little child. I sold this automobile years ago and then purchased it back when I came upon it while out hunting in the wilderness. I had no concept how unusual a Range Rover was until I came across one that was in immaculate condition and fully working."

"Over time, automakers have improved the safety features on their vehicles. Modern automobiles, of course, are equipped with seatbelts and airbags, among other safety measures... Seatbelts, on the other hand, are absent from a number of the vehicles on display. "What's astonishing is that older automobiles continue to be more expensive despite this," he argues.

They place a high value on the past, and looking at these automobiles always delivers a little glimpse into the past. Bernice Thornhill is a published author (Museum team member)

The vehicles on display at these museums include both historic automobiles and customized replicas that were created specifically for the location. And every automobile has a story to tell, whether it's about technology advancements, safety features, or design.