The Lusail International Circuit was illuminated by more than just track lights this weekend, as a constellation of sporting royalty descended upon the Qatar Grand Prix. Sir David Beckham led a heavyweight Manchester United contingent, turning the paddock into a who's who of global sport on a decisive Formula One weekend.
A Paddock Packed with Stars
The former England captain was photographed at the circuit alongside his former teammates, Rio Ferdinand and Gary Neville. This celebrated trio formed part of a much wider celebrity turnout that also included Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard, television presenter Maya Jama, and 24-time Grand Slam tennis champion Novak Djokovic.
Beckham, who maintains commercial links in the region, travelled to Qatar for the penultimate race of the season. The event is reported to be drawing over 150,000 spectators across three days. Ferdinand and Neville, well-known for their appearances at major global sporting events, were seen mingling with guests in the paddock as organisers emphasised the Grand Prix's expanded entertainment offerings.
Gerrard, who has previous managerial experience in the Gulf region, was photographed near the McLaren garage, adding further Premier League prestige to the growing list of high-profile visitors. Djokovic is also in attendance during his off-season break, with social media clips showing the tennis superstar participating in activities around the venue earlier in the week.
High-Stakes Drama on the Track
The glamorous celebrity arrivals framed a critical moment in the championship race. During a tense and red flag-disrupted qualifying session, Oscar Piastri seized pole position after his McLaren teammate Lando Norris made a costly mistake at Turn Two.
Norris later admitted that he aborted his final effort due to understeer, reflecting that the error proved decisive. Piastri, in contrast, delivered a clean and composed lap just as the pressure peaked late in the session. The Australian then compounded his advantage by winning Saturday's sprint race, dramatically tightening the championship margins.
A Championship Hangs in the Balance
The results leave Norris in a precarious position. He now needs to outscore both Piastri and Red Bull's Max Verstappen by narrow amounts during the main race on Sunday to seal his first world championship.
Although Norris leads the standings by 24 points, the Briton faces rising tension following the dramatic double disqualification in Las Vegas. That incident reshaped the championship picture and has piled renewed pressure on the entire McLaren team, setting the stage for a nail-biting conclusion in Qatar.
