The 2024 season is nearing its end with the Qatar Grand Prix, the 23rd and penultimate race of the championship. The drivers' title was awarded to Max Verstappen in Las Vegas, and the main issue will therefore be the possible awarding of the constructors' championship.
McLaren F1 needs to leave Losail with a 45-point lead over its rivals to validate the teams crown. He will therefore have to take at least 21 points from Ferrari, and not concede more than eight to Red Bull.
The fight for sixth place will be intense between Haas, Alpine and RB F1, separated by 4 points. From then on, every point will be important, including during the Sprint, for these three teams.
After tire problems last year, which forced a stop in the race every 18 laps, Pirelli and the Qatar circuit worked together to find out how to act on the pyramid vibrators which cut up the rubber.
The curbs have been softened in seven of the circuit's 16 corners, including the first two and turns 12 to 14, which are fast and end on these curbs. Pirelli worked on samples of these modified vibrators in its factory and validated the changes.
The Losail route
The Losail circuit is inevitably reminiscent of that of Bahrain in its shape, but there are many more fast curves there than in Sakhir, where there are still many hairpins.
The track is completely flat, and the asphalt – designed for the MotoGP championship – is perfectly smooth. Speeds are high in qualifying and the curbs have been modified to avoid the tire problems of the 2023 edition.
This 5.38 kilometer track has a single long straight, which will have the only DRS zone on the circuit. It leads towards a first fairly tight bend, then towards two fast curves.
The first sector ends with two right-hand turns at right angles, which lead to the tightest hairpin. Then, another tight right turn leads to two fast curves before a tighter corner for turn 10 on the left.
The third sector consists almost exclusively of fast turns, up to the detection point of the DRS zone. This is located between curves 15 and 16, the latter being tighter before returning to the start/finish line. A strip of gravel will be added behind these curbs to discourage drivers from going too wide on them.
Forces present
McLaren appears to be the possible favorite this weekend, at least on paper, thanks to a track which should favor the characteristics of the MCL38. Unlike Las Vegas, Ferrari should be in a little more trouble.
The question that arises in this leading group is the positioning of Mercedes and Max Verstappen – without wishing to offend Sergio Pérez – to come and referee the fight for the constructors' title.
Behind, we can imagine that Haas and RB F1 will be ahead of Alpine, which the Losail route should not favor. Williams will have to deal with an old specification after the numerous accidents, and the team could fight with Aston Martin, as well as Stake if the operation of the evolution on the Sauber C44 is confirmed.
Qatar Grand Prix schedules
Shifted from the beginning of October to the end of November, the Qatar Grand Prix should be less harsh for the drivers in terms of heat. The schedules will be in the afternoon and evening for this weekend containing the sixth and final Sprint of the season.
– Friday November 29
2:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m.: Free Practice 1
18h30-19h14 : Qualifications Sprint
– Saturday November 30
15h00-16h00 : Sprint
19h00-20h00 : Qualifications
– Sunday December 1st
17h00-19h00 : Course
Qatar Grand Prix winners
| Year | Circuit | Winner | Team | Engine |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Losail | Lewis Hamilton | Mercedes | Mercedes |
| 2023 | Losail | Max Verstappen | Red Bull | Honda |
