Max takes the 63rd success of his career, ahead of Charles and Piastri. Sainz sixth, Norris penalized and tenth: the title will be awarded in Abu Dhabi
Max Verstappen won the Formula 1 Qatar GP in Lusail, the penultimate round of the 2024 World Championship. The Dutchman, already a Drivers’ world champion, took victory number 63 in his career ahead of Charles Leclerc and Oscar Piastri, then Pierre Gasly and the other SF-24 by Carlos Sainz. The most important news for Ferrari is that the Constructors’ World Championship has reopened, because now McLaren has “only” 21 points ahead and everything will be decided in Abu Dhabi. Lando Norris’s penalty – for not slowing down under yellow flags – when he was second, cost the Woking team precious points, given that the Briton finished tenth and now the Constructors’ title will be awarded on the last weekend of the season ( December 6-8), with 44 potential points for each team. Hulkenberg, Perez, Stroll, Colapinto and Ocon retired.
Qatar GP, thrilling start
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The first five laps are a condensation of tension. At the start Verstappen – author of the pole but penalized by one position on Saturday evening for impeding Russell during qualifying – burns the Briton of Mercedes and is already the leader at the first corner. Behind, Norris also leaps aggressively and takes second position from the Mercedes driver, while Leclerc on the outside invents an overtaking move that takes him fourth ahead of Piastri, winner of yesterday’s Sprint. But… While the leaders are already ahead, in turn 1 a few seconds after the green light Hulkenberg exaggerates with the aggressiveness of his Haas, pounces on Ocon who in turn caroms on Colapinto: the last two out and the German under investigation. Safety Car for three laps and at the restart another twist: because Leclerc – who complained to his race engineer Bryan Bozzi on the radio, “you can’t ask me to manage the tires after three laps” – was surprised by Piastri who accelerated regained fourth position. After a few laps the Constructors’ Championship seemed hopelessly on the road to Woking. But it was only an appearance…
gp qatar, the central part
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Once the initial storm passed, the pilots began to push and the first reports of strength emerged. Verstappen and Norris were the fastest, exchanging fastest laps and leading with an elastic gap of between 1″5 and 2″; behind Piastri puts Russell under pressure, the Briton – with the tires running out and the Australian at 3 tenths and well within the DRS zone – is called back to the garage for a change, the first big name to stop. Problems with the right rear and Russell returns eleventh in full traffic: Mercedes confirmed Saturday’s performance, good and at times very good on the flying lap, but with notable degradation problems which also affected Hamilton. But apart from the silver arrows, the other major teams opted for the one stop because the tires held up better than expected.
Sainz’s problem
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On lap 35 the key episode that influenced Ferrari’s race. Sainz in for the pit – unfortunately just before a Safety Car was called to remove a piece on the home straight – but with problems with the gearbox and the removal of some debris. The Spaniard returned tenth, the SC gave him a hand to close the gap and the changes of the others placed him in eighth position, but with Norris and Piastri second and fourth in the grip of Leclerc. Safety returned on the 39th lap of the 57 scheduled, and at that point a mini-race began with new tires or almost all of them. The race – and the still open situation in the Constructors’ World Championship – were decided in those final 18 laps.
the finale of the Qatar GP
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The restart was another blender: Norris aggressive on Verstappen enough to join him – but overtaking Max is another matter… – Piastri courageous on Leclerc with the Monegasque tough to defend himself, Sainz astute and capable of taking the position on former maestro Alonso. At that point came the decisive call from Race Direction: 10″ stop&go given to Lando Norris for not having slowed down under yellow flags, a penalty which sealed the McLaren driver’s race and allowed Ferrari to recover significantly in the standings. Scuderia di Maranello is far from closed.
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