Purple Bull’s Max Verstappen took his ninth win of the season in a chaotic Qatar Grand Prix that includes three security vehicles, two punctures – each of them doubtlessly the results of particles brought on by a stray wing mirror which was, inexplicably, not noted on monitor following an earlier collision – and a mass of penalties meted out by the stewards.
Verstappen beat Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc into second place, with McLaren’s Oscar Piastri third.
It appeared as if Piastri’s team-mate Lando Norris would possibly problem Verstappen for the victory for a lot of the race, and presumably even safe McLaren the constructors’ championship within the course of. However the Briton was given a 10-second cease/go penalty for failing to sluggish underneath yellow flags, dropping him to the again of the pack with round 10 laps remaining.
Norris managed to get better to tenth, and likewise bagged the quickest lap bonus level. Nevertheless it nonetheless allowed Ferrari to claw again floor within the championship. The Scuderia now path McLaren by 21 factors heading to the ultimate race in Abu Dhabi subsequent weekend with a most of 44 accessible.
It was unclear whether or not the punctures suffered by Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz have been the results of the particles from Alex Albon’s wing mirror, or the sharp kerbs.
It was a completely depressing weekend for Hamilton, with the seven-time world champion penalised for a false begin, complain that his automobile was “broke”, undergo the aforementioned puncture, earlier than then being penalised once more with a drive-through penalty for rushing within the pit lane.
Hamilton, who completed twelfth, threatened to “park the automobile” throughout his drive-through, however was advised to remain out except he wished a five-second penalty on the subsequent race.
06:15 PM GMTAll to play for subsequent week in Abu Dhabi
Within the constructors’ anyway. That race is the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at Yas Marina, a monitor which has produced improved racing lately. McLaren. We can be again for qualifying on Saturday.
06:14 PM GMTMcLaren’s Andrea Stella robust on Norris’s penalty
Effectively, as robust as he will get in his conventional, measured engineer-speak. He stated that the FIA had misplaced “any sense of proportion and any sense of specificity” and that there’s a chance for them to do “significantly better”.
06:08 PM GMTNorris on his penalty06:01 PM GMTUpdated drivers’ standings
The 24-point hole between Russell and Hamilton means it’s nearly sure than the previous finishes behind the latter. Hamilton must win and Russell rating no higher than tenth and with out the quickest lap level for that to occur. Hamilton has by no means misplaced to a team-mate over a season greater than as soon as.
05:57 PM GMTUpdated constructor standings
21 factors the hole between McLaren and Ferrari.
You’d somewhat be in McLaren’s place than Ferrari’s however 21 factors places the title definitely in play.
05:53 PM GMTAn fascinating Alpine replace
The Race that Esteban Ocon (under), who leaves for Haas in 2025, will step apart for the ultimate spherical and let Jack Doohan step in. Doohan will line up alongside Gasly subsequent 12 months so it form of is sensible. That type of factor has occurred earlier than however it’s uncommon. A foul weekend right here for Ocon and he was once more very distant from his team-mate.
05:46 PM GMTVerstappen reacts to his first dry GP win since Spain
“It was an excellent race. Right this moment that first stint was very, very quick. Lando and I simply inside 1.8sec of each other. Actually it was a variety of enjoyable on the market. That was truthfully a variety of enjoyable to be pushing the tyre. We went actually lengthy in that first stint… very comfortable, it’s been some time within the dry to be this aggressive. Very pleased with everybody throughout the group to show it round inside a day, they deserve this victory.”
05:45 PM GMTSecond place within the drivers’ standings is inside attain for Leclerc, too
He’s now inside eight factors of Norris.
05:41 PM GMT63 GP wins for Verstappen
He’s comfortable about it.
05:39 PM GMTQatar GP – Classification
VER 25pts
LEC 18pts
PIA 15pts
RUS 12pts
GAS 10pts
SAI 8pts
ALO 6pts
ZHO 4pts
MAG 2pts
NOR 2pts
Russell will get a five-second time penalty for the SC infringement however that doesn’t drop him down a slot so he retains fourth and 12 factors. Norris takes the bonus level for quickest lap.
26 factors to Ferrari and 17 to McLaren, so Ferrari cut back McLaren’s lead.
05:36 PM GMTMAX VERSTAPPEN WINS THE 2024 QATAR GRAND PRIX
A superb drive, actually. Nothing rather more to say. Was underneath strain for lots of it however it was Norris who slipped up by not slowing underneath double yellows. And Verstappen was the one who noticed that. Such a fast driver with a sensible thoughts, too.
Leclerc retains second, Piastri third. Zhou holds on for eighth for his and Sauber’s first factors of the season. He doesn’t have a seat for subsequent 12 months so that is some cheer in what’s going to possible be his penultimate F1 race. Effectively executed.
05:35 PM GMTFINAL LAP
Sainz and Gasly is the battle to look at. Sainz will get DRS down the pit straight however isn’t shut sufficient to attempt a transfer and I believe that can be that.
05:33 PM GMTLap 56 of 57 – Piastri almost inside a second of Leclerc
Not fairly. McLaren may do with him overtaking him. They will lose factors to them at present however limiting that will be very useful. Norris presently has the quickest lap bonus level.
05:33 PM GMTLap 55 of 57 – Norris runs extensive
I believe tenth is concerning the restrict of his ambitions right here. Magnussen is eight seconds up the street. George Russell has been famous for a Security Automotive infringement. Unsure what that’s all about…
05:32 PM GMTLap 54 of 57 – High 10 and gaps
VER
LEC +5.8
PIA +7.1
RUS +9.0
GAS +15.2
SAI +15.6
ALO +18.5
ZHO +23.6
MAG +28.4
NOR +37.1
Hamilton remains to be on the market, by the best way. In fifteenth and chasing down Liam Lawson.
05:30 PM GMTLap 53 of 57 – Bottas will get Albon for tenth
However he has Norris behind him on contemporary tyres who’s prone to be unimaginable to carry off. Verstappen cruising right here. Sainz inside DRS vary of Gasly. Albon has a 10-second time penalty for inflicting a collision. What a chaotic afternoon this has been. Nice, although.
05:28 PM GMTLap 52 of 57 – Norris as much as twelfth
Verstappen 4.6sec forward of Leclerc in second with Piastri in thied 1.5sec behind Leclerc. Russell 1.5sec behind Piastri and Gasly a distant sixth has Sainz chasing him down, 1.6sec down the street.
Bottas is chasing Albon for the ultimate factors place. A double factors end for Sauber?!
05:26 PM GMTLap 51 of 57 – Norris would possibly but rating some extent right here
Not that it issues a lot, although it does for McLaren. He’s in thirteenth and is lapping about three or 4 seconds forward of his rivals.
05:25 PM GMTLap 50 of 57 – Right here is the highest 10
VER
LEC
PIA
RUS
GAS
SAI
ALO
ZHO
MAG
ALB
5 completely different vehicles within the prime 5 and 9 completely different producers within the prime 10 by my calculations. Simply RB who lack a driver up there.
05:24 PM GMTLap 49 of 57 – Hamilton now in final after that cease
Hamilton will get his want to retire the automobile. Or no less than it’s granted. I don’t assume it’s that unreasonable. You by no means know what crashes can occur and there are solely 15 runners on this race. Effectively, he retains going anyway, so unsure what is going on there.
05:22 PM GMTLap 48 of 57 – Hamilton is advised of his penalty
“Park the automobile,” he says. “I wanna park the automobile mate,” he says. “Detrimental,” he’s advised by his race engineer Peter Bonnington.
“Retire the automobile, park the automobile mate” 📻
After a drive by means of penalty for pit-lane rushing, Lewis Hamilton was reluctant to proceed in Qatar ⬇️
Ouch. A disastrous weekend in a poor season. It simply appears to worsen for him, actually as he involves the top of his Mercedes profession.
05:21 PM GMTLap 47 of 57 – Gasly in fifth…
Alpine in a combat with RB and Haas for sixth and it will do them the world of excellent with only one race to go. How a lot has that penalty price Norris? Effectively, he’s 12.7sec behind Liam Lawson in last-but-one.
05:20 PM GMTLap 46 of 57 – Verstappen leads Leclerc by 3.7sec
I believe Norris was the one driver who had the prospect to beat Verstappen right here and that has now been taken away from him.
Hamilton will get a drive by means of penalty for rushing within the pit lane! Not a very good day for the British drivers thus far.
Zhou Guanyu is in eighth for Sauber, a group who’ve scored zero factors all season.
05:19 PM GMTLap 45 of 57 – Norris serves his penalty
That drops him again to final and is in impact a 35-second penalty. He’s slightly perplexed on the group radio…
LAP 46 / 57
Norris serves his penalty, which drops him all the best way all the way down to P15 – in different phrases, final.
Which means Verstappen leads by 3.4 seconds over Leclerc.
Hamilton can be given a drive by means of penalty for rushing within the pit lane.
05:18 PM GMTLap 44 of 57 – BIG PENALTY FOR NORRIS
It’s a 10-second cease/go penalty for Lando Norris for failing to sluggish underneath yellow flags. That’s the greatest penalty you may get wanting disqualification.
That’s large and can drop him again to the again of the pack because it stands. That isn’t excellent news for McLaren’s championship hopes. He must serve that within the subsequent three laps.
05:16 PM GMTLap 43 of 57 – Race restarts
It’s a significantly better restart for Verstappen and Norris has to fret about Leclerc behind and never look in entrance! He retains second, although, as Verstappen bolts. Piastri involved concerning the entrance left as he can see sparks coming from it. Russell runs extensive however nothing an excessive amount of to fret about.
Verstappen leads Norris by 0.7sec with Leclerc 1.4sec behind the lead McLaren.
05:14 PM GMTLap 42 of 57 – SC in on the finish of this lap
Hamilton is advised he’s in twelfth. “Guys, the vehicles is tousled mate,” he says. Will Verstappen make a greater effort of this restart?
05:12 PM GMTLap 41 of 57 – Norris famous for not slowing underneath yellow flags
Unsure if Perez was hit earlier than he stopped however he undoubtedly misplaced energy afterwards.
Right here’s the order:
VER
NOR
LEC
PIA
RUS
GAS
SAI
ALO
ZHO
MAG
05:10 PM GMTLap 40 of 57 – Race restarts
Verstappen backs the pack up, Norris is correct behind him ready for him to gun it. Verstappen made a little bit of a multitude of that one, dropping his rear finish for a second which suggests Norris is correct on his rear wing down the pit straight!
Norris tries to take the lead at flip one however Verstappen retains it with some strong defending… Norris tried to stay it out across the outdoors however couldn’t make the transfer. Nothing too dodgy there from Max.
An motion packed restart sees ANOTHER security automobile 😲
Sergio Perez and Nico Hulkenberg are the most recent vehicles out in Qatar ❌
However Sergio Perez has stopped at flip 15! He’s transferring once more I believe, however very slowly? Nope. I believe he’s caught with no energy. It’s a Digital Security Automotive… and now Nico Hulkenberg is within the gravel! Unsure why or how…
Which means it’s a full Security Automotive…
05:07 PM GMTLap 39 of 57 – SC in on the finish of this lap
Verstappen requested about Norris not lifting underneath the SC once more a couple of laps in the past and Purple Bull advised him that they have been in conversations with the FIA about it. No phrase on whether or not Norris has been famous for it but, although. That type of factor requires fairly cautious evaluation.
05:02 PM GMTLap 38 of 57 – We’re nonetheless underneath the SC
So let’s do a fast constructors’ championship maths test.
McLaren on the right track to attain 18 factors for Norris and 12 for Piastri, so 30. Ferrari scoring 15 with Leclerc and 4 with Sainz so 19. A niche of 11, which isn’t sufficient for them to win the constructors’ right here in Qatar.
Hamilton is between Verstappen and Norris presently however could also be allowed to unlap himself. Norris thinks Hamilton brake-tested him as they headed by means of the pit-lane.
“Hamilton rushing 100 per cent” 💨
Lando Norris accuses Lewis Hamilton of brake testing within the pits 👇
Subsequent lap the SC will use the beginning end straight. Bottas and Hamilton have now been allowed to unlap themselves.
05:00 PM GMTLap 37 of 57 – Russell isn’t comfortable
He has stopped once more and gone ontot he arduous tyres. He didn’t have any contemporary mediums. “Why have we put hards on? Why have we put the f—– hards again on?! They’re s—!” he says, furiously.
05:00 PM GMTLap 36 of 57 – High 10 underneath SC
VER
NOR
LEC
PIA
PER
GAS
RUS
SAI
ALO
ZHO
The SC is for the particles brought on by Bottas working over the mirror on the straight. SC will undergo the pit lane in order that the particles might be swept away.
04:58 PM GMTLap 35 of 57 – It’s important to ask why that mirror was left there
Sainz comes out of the pits, Hamilton makes it to the pits and a Security Automotive is lastly known as.
“Simply belief me to have this luck, man” Hamilton says. Verstappen pits and laps Hamilton within the course of. Norris stops additionally, each the lead drivers – and Leclerc – get an affordable cease there.
04:56 PM GMTLap 34 of 57 – Bottas runs over the stray wing mirror
Verstappen has discovered some additional tempo from someplace.
And Hamilton has a puncture! Has he picked that up from the wing mirror? I’m not positive Hamilton will make it again to the pits right here. I believe Sainz can be in bother right here, dropping effectively again. Each vehicles have a front-left puncture…
04:54 PM GMTLap 33 of 57 – Verstappen leads Norris by 1.8sec
Piastri now 9.1sec adrift of Norris. Replays affirm that Norris didn’t elevate on the straight underneath yellow flags. Norris has now dropped half a secodn to Verstappen during the last lap or so… I’m not positive why or the place?
04:52 PM GMTLap 32 of 57 – Verstappen asks if Norris lifted for yellow flags
The Purple Bull driver tells his group to test if he lifted on the straight and appears to recommend that’s the reason Norris closed up. “He didn’t elevate,” Verstappen is advised. 1.7sec the hole once more.
Will we see a security automobile?
04:51 PM GMTLap 31 of 57 – 0.6sec Norris took from Verstappen final lap
The wing mirror remains to be in the midst of the monitor.
04:50 PM GMTLap 30 of 57 – Double waved yellows
Magnussen was going slowly, I believe. There’s a wing mirror in the midst of the pit straight. Might this be a VSC? Norris has gained a bit in that Bottas lapping interval as Verstappen’s lead is now all the way down to 1.3sec.
04:48 PM GMTLap 29 of 57 – Magnussen pits from the highest 10
He comes out behind Liam Lawson and in sixteenth. Norris matches Verstappen within the first sector, which is the place the Purple Bull has been strongest. Loses time within the closing sector, which is the place the McLaren has been strongest. I believe he would possibly simply be beginning to really feel the impact of the soiled air. They’re coming as much as lap Bottas, although, so that may give him a chance.
04:47 PM GMTLap 28 of 57 – High 10 and gaps
VER
NOR +1.7
PIA +10.3
LEC +12.4
SAI +16.0
PER +25.2
HAM +27.2
MAG +40.9
GAS +42.2
ALO +44.5
04:46 PM GMTLap 27 of 57 – Norris takes 0.2sec out of Verstappen on the final lap
That’s the most since they started, I believe. Verstappen isn’t in visitors so possibly his tyres have gone off slightly. However let’s see. I’d say that was slightly untimely. Russell says the automobile isn’t turning on contemporary arduous tyres.
04:44 PM GMTLap 26 of 57 – Will Norris or Verstappen pit first?
How a lot is the undercut value? Laborious to know Russell’s true tempo as a result of he got here out in soiled air. He wouldn’t have executed so had the cease been a normal-length one.
04:43 PM GMTLap 25 of 57 – Verstappen leads Norris by 1.8sec
Establishment on the entrance, just about although Norris was marginally faster the final time round. Hamilton has dropped a second to Perez within the final seven or eight laps.
04:42 PM GMTLap 24 of 47 – Hamilton asks if his automobile is damaged
“Simply underbalanced,” he’s advised. Unsure what number of positions Russell will lose with that sluggish cease, presumably even a couple of to Piastri. The Ferraris may be forward after they step.
LAP 29 / 57
Neither Mercedes driver is having fun with the stability of the automobile proper now.
Russell radios to say the automobile is not turning, and a lap later Hamilton has to catch a second on acceleration 😬
04:41 PM GMTLap 23 of 57 – Verstappen simply edging out his lead
A smidgen over two seconds right here. Piastri is closing in on Russell however Russell has been todl to pit to, I assume, keep away from the Piastri undercut.
Sadly it’s a painfully sluggish cease which can nearly definitely hand the place to Piastri. Seven seconds he was stationary… ouch.
04:40 PM GMTLap 22 of 57 – Let me run by means of the maths on that, Tom
Norris would rating 26 and Piastri 15 in the event that they achieve a place, taking McLaren to 41 for the day with the quickest lap bonus level to Norris. Leclerc is in fifth which is 10 factors and Sainz sixth which is eight factors, so Ferrari’s complete can be 18 factors. 18 factors to 41 is a 13-point hole at present which takes their total result in 43, which isn’t fairly what McLaren want by my calculations. It’s shut although.
04:37 PM GMTLap 21 of 57 – Constructors’ replace
“Assume I’m proper in saying McLaren would take the constructors’ title if Norris or Piastri achieve place from right here, and everybody else stays as they’re. Lengthy technique to go, clearly.”
04:36 PM GMTLap 20 of 57 – Norris says he’s pushing flat out
Nonetheless he can not break into inside 1.7sec of Verstappen. Russell has dropped effectively again now so this race is turning into a two-horse race, it appears. Bottas will get Tsunoda for thirteenth. Zhou is the following man up the street, his team-mate.
04:34 PM GMTLap 19 of 57 – Hamilton advised he’s lapping fairly a bit slower than the leaders
A tough race for him.
04:33 PM GMTLap 18 of 57 – One other quickest lap by Norris
However the hole remains to be round 1.7-1.8sec. Verstappen seems to be to have it in hand although it’s tough to know the way a lot Norris is pushing. Russell has dropped again to three.8sec off Norris while Piastri 1.7sec behind Russell. Hamilton’s 5 second penalty doesn’t presently lose him any locations as Magnussen is greater than 9 seconds behind.
04:32 PM GMTLap 17 of 57 – High 10
VER
NOR +1.6
RUS +5.4
PIA +6.9
LEC +9.3
SAI +11.3
PER +15.8
HAM +17.6
MAG +26.2
GAS +27.0
04:31 PM GMTLap 16 of 57 – Norris takes greater than a tenth out of Verstappen
Norris units the quickest lap of the race once more, however Verstappen then responds with the quickest first sector. Norris is then marginally quicker within the center sector, although, and it has usually been quicker within the closing sector. That’s the case this lap too as Norris takes almost two tenths out of Verstappen there and units the quickest lap of the race once more.
Would possibly we’ve a combat rising for the lead? There isn’t a lot in it, it may come all the way down to technique. Most likely will to a point.
04:28 PM GMTLap 15 of 57 – Russell has dropped again from Norris now
2.6sec the hole between him and Norris as Piastri is staying inside DRS vary however is unable to get by. Norris simply staying round two seconds behind Verstappen. Is he biding his time and never getting too shut, hoping for a tyre benefit? Usually you’ll count on him to maybe drop again if he doesn’t have the tempo, although two seconds could be about sufficient to avoid wasting his tyres and keep in contact.
04:27 PM GMTLap 14 of 57 – 5-second time penalty for Hamilton
Hmmm. One other black mark in a tough 12 months for the seven-time champion.
04:26 PM GMTLap 13 of 57 – Norris takes a tenth out of Verstappen
It has been the pattern that the longer the stint the higher the McLaren is, relative to its rivals. However let’s see, Verstappen is the one in clear air and that could be a nice assist for tyre life.
And one other tenth or so on the finish of this lap in Norris’s favour, with the quickest lap of the race.
04:24 PM GMTLap 12 of 57 – Gaps opening up slightly within the prime six now
Piastri is inside DRS vary of Russell and Sainz is inside DRS vary of Leclerc forward. Verstappen extends his lead over Verstappen to 2.2sec with the quickest race lap.
04:23 PM GMTLap 11 of 57 – Norris units the quickest lap of the race
It was, nevertheless, simply 0.001sec quicker than Verstappen earlier than you get too excited a couple of battle for the lead.
04:21 PM GMTLap 10 of 57 – Hamilton famous for a false begin
Doesn’t look apparent to me however Hamilton did apologise to his group.
Norris trails by almost two seconds. Russell is 1.2sec behind him with Piastri on his rear-wing.
04:19 PM GMTLap 9 of 57 – High 10
VER
NOR
RUS
PIA
LEC
SAI
PER
HAM
TSU
MAG
Russell almost inside DRS vary of Norris now…
04:18 PM GMTLap 8 of 57 – Verstappen leads Norris by 1.3sec
Stroll seems to be to be coming into the pit lane to retire with a automobile too broken to proceed. He picked up a 10-second time penalty for that Albon incident. A poor race in a poor season for the Aston Martin driver. Verstappen is flying within the first sector, as has been the case the previous couple of laps.
04:17 PM GMTLap 7 of 57 – Norris not inside DRS vary of Verstappen
He did pull a few tenths again within the closing sector. Piastri inside DRS vary of Russell for third, although.
04:16 PM GMTLap 6 of 57 – Piastri up one place on the restart
Alonso loses locations, while Hamilton is as much as eighth behind Perez. Verstappen leads Norris by 1.3sec as they head into flip 12. Alonso going backwards, into twelfth and complains about “worrying” pace on the straights.
04:15 PM GMTLap 5 of 57 – Race restarts!
Verstappen was by no means underneath any menace from Norris there. Piastri had the Ferrari of Leclerc proper on his rear wing. Lawson and Stroll have dropped again after working extensive and presumably colliding. Norris comes again a bit on Verstappen in the direction of the top of the lap however there isn’t any DRS but.
04:13 PM GMTLap 4 of 57 – SC in on the finish of this lap
Can Norris make a transfer? Most likely not as a result of he will get a bit twitchy on the closing nook and finds himself underneath extra strain from Russell than he pressures Verstappen forward.
04:13 PM GMTLap 3 of 57 – SC nonetheless on the market
I don’t assume we’re far off a restart, although. Replays from an onboard on Verstappen’s automobile, ensured that he had the within line. Russell didn’t need to threat a collision and, actually, it was Verstappen’s nook at that time.
04:10 PM GMTLap 3 of 57 – Stroll and Albon collide on lap one too
Albon across the outdoors, Stroll on the within. Unsure if that can be a penalty for stroll.
Some questions over whether or not Hamilton has jumped the beginning although nothing has been famous thus far. He’s down in ninth from sixth, so not a very good begin nevertheless you take a look at it.
04:08 PM GMTLap 2 of 57 – Security Automotive
Right here is the highest 10:
VER
NOR
RUS
LEC
PIA
SAI
PER
ALO
HAM
TSU
It was an ideal begin from Verstappen and he had the flexibility, grip and bravado to take and hold the lead. He took the within line after which stored it. It appeared like Norris was going to hold it across the outdoors at flip two however he backs off.
Hulkenberg cannoned into Ocon who then crashed into Colapinto. Hulkenberg’s fault, definitely. He went too deep on the arduous tyres and misplaced the rear finish. One other crash for Williams.
04:05 PM GMTTHE 2024 QATAR GRAND PRIX IS GO!
Verstappen factors his automobile on second in the direction of Russell and the racing line. They get away and it’s Russell with the marginally higher begin however the second stage of the beginning is best for Verstappen and he takes the lead!
Russell runs extensive and Norris tries to return again within the second and third corners however Verstappen retains the lead!
There’s a three-car crash, no less than, on the again involving Hulkenberg and Ocon and Colapinto. The latter of two are out with important injury. Hulkenberg retains going, although. It will nearly definitely be a Security Automotive.
04:01 PM GMTThe formation lap is go
Everybody on mediums other than Nico Hulkenberg in 18th. Some new, although, like Verstappen. Russell is on used mediums.
03:59 PM GMTWe are almost able to get going
Predictions? Right here is my prime six:
RUS
NOR
VER
PIA
LEC
SAI
03:56 PM GMTRace methods at present
Pirelli predict that it’ll possible be a one-stop race with a medium to arduous swap between lap 19-25. However a two-stop race can be potential going medium-hard-hard. Tyre degradation was an enormous concern final 12 months however not a lot this 12 months.
03:55 PM GMTA household affair for the Verstappens
“Max Verstappen’s mum Sophie (under, proper) is at her first race this 12 months. She was ready by Max’s automobile, along with his sister Victoria (under, left), to want the newly-crowned 4 time champ luck, however he was late for the anthems and rushed previous with out saying something. Fortunately he noticed them on his method again to his automobile and so they had a fast hug.”
03:52 PM GMTAbout 10 minutes till lights out03:48 PM GMTIs Verstappen fired up?
The factor is Max Verstappen being fired up is commonly when he’s at his angriest. And we’ve seen that a couple of instances this season. Pole sitter George Russell says sure:
“I do know he’s, he already advised me. Lando is fast. Max goes to be fast, we don’t know concerning the Ferraris however we’ve simply bought to concentrate on our personal race.”
03:45 PM GMTFootballers on the grid (once more)
“Little bit of a soccer flavour right here in Qatar. Noticed Gianni Infantino chatting to Marcel Desailly on on beIN Sports activities within the paddock on my method out to the grid the place Robbie Fowler and Rio Ferdinand are hobnobbing with F1 sorts.”
03:43 PM GMTChristian Horner speaks to Sky Sports activities F1
“For me that was a bit like a soccer participant taking a dive within the penalty field… none of them have been on racing laps so I’m not fairly positive why we ended up with a one-place penalty. These races are like cup finals for us. He’s [Verstappen] wound up for this one.”
03:42 PM GMTWhat can Ferrari do at present?
They did all the pieces to speak down their possibilities this weekend however I don’t assume they’ve been fairly as unhealthy as they have been making out. Leclerc begins fifth and Sainz is in seventh. I believe their race tempo can be higher than their qualifying tempo however they may battle to make inroads.
03:38 PM GMTStarting grid
A bit of rejig because the finish of qualifying yesterday, however right here is how all of them line up at present:
1. RUS 2. VER3. NOR 4. PIA5. LEC 6. HAM7. SAI 8. ALO9. PER 10. MAG11. GAS 12. ZHO13. BOT 14. TSU15. STR 16. ALB17. LAW 18. HUL19. COL 20. OCO
03:34 PM GMTSpeaking of 2025… right here is how the grid seems to be subsequent season03:31 PM GMTHamilton on the radio
“Piastri simply overtook within the pit-lane entry, attacking the white line.”
03:31 PM GMTThe pit lane is open in Qatar03:22 PM GMTHow the 2025 calendar seems to be
Once more it is going to be a 24-race season with six dash races. Is 25 potential? F1 is admittedly on the restrict in the mean time, however I’d not be stunned to see that occur. We would wish extra structured and extended breaks, although, even when meaning an prolonged season. While we had an prolonged autumn break n addition to the standard summer time break this 12 months, subsequent 12 months there it isn’t there.
Issues do ease up slightly as soon as we get into July with two weekends with no racing between the British and Belgian races earlier than the summer time break (three weekends with out racing).
03:16 PM GMTCurrent driver standings
One other two factors for Nico Hulkenberg takes him to 37 factors for the season. Of their whole historical past in F1 solely as soon as has a Haas driver scored extra factors than that over a season.
For this, principally.
The important purpose was that he was over the utmost delta time on this lap, which alerted the FIA stewards to it. That he bought in the best way of Russell was arguably why he was given a penalty and never only a reprimand. The truth is, under is the FIA’s full verdict.
Automotive 1 was on a special preparation technique to that of Automotive 63. Automotive 1 was effectively outdoors of the delta and the driving force of Automotive 1 defined he had let Automobiles 4 and 14 previous. The driving force of Automotive 63 claimed that he had adhered to the delta and didn’t count on Automotive 1 to be on the racing line. He acknowledged that if a automobile was going sluggish in a excessive pace nook, it shouldn’t be on the racing line.
The stewards regard this case as an advanced one in that clearly Automotive 1 didn’t adjust to the Race Director’s Occasion Notes and clearly was driving, in our willpower, unnecessarily slowly contemplating the circumstances.
It was apparent the driving force of Automotive 1 was trying to chill his tyres. He may additionally see Automotive 63 approaching as he appeared in his mirror a number of instances while on the small straight between Turns 11 and 12.
Unusually, this incident occurred when neither automobile was on a push lap. Had Automotive 63 been on a push lap the penalty would have almost certainly been the standard 3 grid place penalty nevertheless in mitigation of penalty, it was apparent that the driving force of Automotive 63 had clear visibility of Automotive 1 and that neither automobile was on a push lap.
02:55 PM GMTA reminder of the constructor standings
44 factors is the utmost any group can rating on the subsequent spherical in Abu Dhabi so 45 factors is the hole McLaren have to win the title this weekend with one spherical to spare. They presently lead Ferrari by 30 factors so would wish to extend that by 15.
A 1-2 would give them 43 factors which makes one of the best Ferrari may do 28 factors for third and fourth, plus the quickest lap bonus level. 43 minus 28 is 15, so a 1-2 end would safe it no matter Ferrari do.
02:51 PM GMTThe FIA’s massacre underneath Ben Sulayem: Who’s subsequent?
What on earth is happening on the FIA? It’s a query which has been requested rather a lot within the Qatar paddock this week. Not least by George Russell. The Mercedes driver, who’s head of the Grand Prix Drivers’ Affiliation, admitted he and his colleagues had been left questioning “who’s going to be fired subsequent” at motorsport’s world governing physique after two extra senior figures got their marching orders within the days main as much as the Lusail race.
Even by the requirements of Mohammed Ben Sulayem, the notoriously trigger-happy FIA president, it has been a massacre not too long ago.
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02:45 PM GMTFull qualifying information 2024
For perspective, earlier than this season Hamilton had solely been out-qualified over a season by a team-mate as soon as, in 2014 towards Nico Rosberg. And that was 7-12 within the German’s favour. Hamilton hasn’t but reached seven after 29 qualifying periods…
Drivers who’ve a worse qualifying report towards their team-mate than Hamilton: Oscar Piastri, Zhou Guanyu. It’s now 22-6 to Russell throughout major and dash qualifying. Subsequent 12 months Hamilton goes up towards Charles Leclerc who’s famend as one of many masters over one lap. Thoughts you, that was the case for Hamilton till this season…
02:37 PM GMTTimes after qualifying
Max Verstappen (Ned) Purple Bull 1min 20.520secs
George Russell (Gbr) Mercedes GP 1:20.575
Lando Norris (Gbr) McLaren 1:20.772
Oscar Piastri (Aus) McLaren 1:20.829
Charles Leclerc (Mon) Ferrari 1:20.852
Lewis Hamilton (Gbr) Mercedes GP 1:21.011
Carlos Sainz Jr. (Spa) Ferrari 1:21.041
Fernando Alonso (Spa) Aston Martin 1:21.251
Sergio Perez (Mex) Purple Bull 1:21.425
Kevin Magnussen (Den) Haas F1 1:21.500
Pierre Gasly (Fra) Alpine 1:21.437
Guanyu Zhou (Chn) Kick Sauber 1:21.501
Valtteri Bottas (Fin) Kick Sauber 1:21.731
Yuki Tsunoda (Jpn) RB 1:21.771
Lance Stroll (Can) Aston Martin 1:21.911
Alexander Albon (Tha) Williams 1:22.390
Liam Lawson (Nzl) RB 1:22.411
Nico Hulkenberg (Ger) Haas F1 1:22.442
Franco Colapinto (Arg) Williams 1:22.594
Esteban Ocon (Fra) Alpine 1:22.714
02:29 PM GMTGood afternoon
Welcome to our protection for the 2024 Qatar Grand Prix, the penultimate race of the 2024 Components One season. Max Verstappen wrapped up the drivers’ championship in Las Vegas final weekend however there may be nonetheless the small matter of the constructors’ championship to be determined. That might occur this weekend if McLaren go away Qatar with a 45-point benefit over Ferrari.
The Scuderia presently path McLaren by 30 factors after the Woking squad’s 1-2 within the dash race yesterday. A 1-2 end within the race at present would safe them the championship, which might be their first constructors’ championship since 1998, when Mika Hakkinen gained his first drivers’ title.
Will that occur? Effectively, it seems to be unlikely. McLaren did look in robust type in qualifying and the race for the dash however they might solely qualify third and fourth yesterday. That was higher than Ferrari’s fifth and seventh however it doesn’t recommend they are going to be working away with this one.
Elsewhere in qualifying, Max Verstappen thought he had taken his first pole place because the Austrian Grand Prix again in June after an excellent, and unexpectedly fast, lap within the closing a part of qualifying. Ultimately, although, he picked up a extremely uncommon (and presumably unprecedented) one-place grid penalty for “driving unnecessarily slowly” throughout Q3, an incident wherein he bought in the best way of George Russell, whose greatest lap was 0.055sec off pole.
The stewards determined that as a result of neither driver was on a sizzling lap, however that Russell’s sizzling lap was possible affected by this incident, then a one-place grid penalty was acceptable. It’s barely odd however doesn’t really feel like a horrible consequence. Is it a horrible precedent? We must wait and see the implications of drivers getting in the best way of each other on preparation laps, then.
Because it turned out it means the entrance row is swapped spherical and Russell scores his fifth profession pole place as he makes an attempt to win his third race of the 12 months and second in a row. He has appeared speedy all weekend in equity, however you wonder if McLaren would possibly come again into it over a race distance and, certainly, how a lot of a thorn Verstappen may be.
The race begins at 4pm underneath lights in Qatar and we can be right here for all the build-up, reside race updates and response from the race.
