An intense race is being prepared in Qatar for the drivers, on a Losail circuit that is even faster than last year. While the 2023 edition was marked by sometimes dangerous heat, the coolness of 2024 and the curbs removed to avoid punctures made the F1s accelerate on the Qatari track.
Tires and fatigue are therefore two parameters to manage throughout the race, with some drivers having experienced difficulties during the Sprint. With nearly 60 laps on the menu, the race promises to be difficult.
George Russell is on pole position after Max Verstappen was penalized one place for an incident during a slow lap in Q3. The Dutchman is therefore on the front line ahead of the McLarens of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. Charles Leclerc follows in front of Lewis Hamilton, then Carlos Sainz and Fernando Alonso. Sergio Pérez and Kevin Magnussen complete the top 10.
Pierre Gasly is 11th on the grid ahead of Guanyu Zhou and Valtteri Bottas, then Yuki Tsunoda and Lance Stroll. Alex Albon and follows ahead of Liam Lawson and Nico Hülkenberg, who share the ninth row. At the back of the grid, we find Franco Colapinto and Esteban Ocon.
McLaren could be titled by having a 44-point lead over Ferrari at the end of this race. For this, however, the English team must win today to have a victory ahead of their rival.
-So, even in the event of a victory, a double and a best race lap for the Scuderia in Abu Dhabi, this scenario would be enough to title the Woking team in the number of second places. The English team must therefore regain 14 points from Ferrari and win today, or it must regain 15 points, which would automatically validate their coronation.
16h38 : Pirelli predicts a one-stop strategy to be the fastest, although this is doubtful given the degradation of the tires. Two stops seem more likely, unless you set a very slow pace at the start of the race.
