Qatar Grand Prix | Place in the constructors’ championship

(Losail) Max Verstappen was crowned world champion for the fourth time in Las Vegas, leaving plenty of room for the constructors’ championship at the Formula 1 Qatar Grand Prix.

The constructors’ championship title, which will come with a purse of around US$140 million, is still up for grabs for McLaren, Ferrari and Red Bull.

Since a sprint race will take place this weekend in the Arabian Peninsula, a perfect weekend would allow a team to collect 59 points. With two races remaining, McLaren leads Ferrari by 24 points, then Red Bull falls a further 29 points behind the leaders.

McLaren could clinch its first title since 1998 this Sunday. The English team will, however, have to aim for perfection or hope for trouble at Ferrari to get there.

Norris in leading position

Briton Lando Norris (McLaren) beat his compatriot George Russell (Mercedes) by just 63 thousandths of a second to take the leading position for the sprint race on Friday.

Norris’ teammate, Australian Oscar Piastri, will start from third position, ahead of the Ferraris of Spaniard Carlos Sainz Jr. and Monegasque Charles Leclerc.

Quebecer Lance Stroll (Aston Martin) will start on the 14th^e step.

Team game

The constructors’ title is now the main target at McLaren after Norris failed to overtake Verstappen in the drivers’ standings.

Norris has dismissed Verstappen’s claims he was crowned champion earlier in a McLaren, suggesting the Dutchman should try his hand at humor. He then added that “Red Bull would already have the [championnat] manufacturers if it had two drivers as good as Max.

The contribution of Piastri – winner of the sprint race in Qatar last year as a rookie – is central to McLaren’s good position. Leclerc and Carlos Sainz Jr. were close on the track – sometimes too close – at Ferrari.

Red Bull’s Sergio Perez is the only driver from the top three teams not to have won a race this season. He is eighth in the standings with less than half of Verstappen’s points. He qualified in 16^e place and finished 10^e in Las Vegas.

Perez, who has faced speculation about his future almost since the start of the season, explained that his car did not suit his driving style.

“I think it’s really hard for people to understand if they’re not part of the team,” the Mexican said Thursday. When you’re not able to get 100% out of the car, it doesn’t matter how good the car is. This is what happened. »

Less hot

Last year’s Qatar GP forced drivers to push their limits. Frenchman Esteban Ocon reported being ill due to the heat and humidity, while Stroll suggested he almost passed out in his car.

The International Automobile Federation (FIA) had raised concerns that drivers “should not be expected to compete in conditions which could endanger their health or safety”. She took action by endorsing the use of cooling suits for drivers during hot races.

These won’t be used until next year, but drivers shouldn’t complain too much this week. In fact, the race will take place on 1^is December, compared to October in 2023. It was certainly a relief for Stroll.

“I have no interest in experiencing the heat of last year in Qatar,” said the Aston Martin driver.