Verstappen wins eventful 2024 F1 Qatar Grand Prix

• Red Bull Racing’s Max Verstappen claimed his ninth win of the season at the 2024 F1 Qatar Grand Prix
• Verstappen was named the 2024 Drivers’ Champion at the previous race in Las Vegas
• McLaren still leads the Constructors’ Championship with one race left in the season

Fresh from winning the 2024 Formula 1 Drivers’ Championship at the previous race in Las Vegas, Red Bull Racing’s Max Verstappen stormed to victory on Sunday at the Qatar Grand Prix, held at the Losail International Circuit.

Second place went to Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, while McLaren’s Oscar Piastri finished third.

When the lights turned green, polesitter George Russell of Mercedes-Benz AMG made a strong start, but Verstappen quickly closed the gap heading into Turn 1. While Russell and Verstappen battled, McLaren’s Lando Norris attempted to sneak by but was denied as Verstappen secured a clear lead by Turn 3.

The first of three Safety Car periods came after an opening-lap collision between Haas’ Nico Hülkenberg and Alpine’s Esteban Ocon caused Ocon to hit Williams’ Franco Colapinto, taking both drivers out of the race. On the restart at lap four, Verstappen remained in the lead ahead of Norris and Russell.

The second Safety Car period occurred on lap 32 when Williams’ Alex Albon lost a mirror on the pit straight. Sauber’s Valtteri Bottas ran over the mirror, scattering debris across the track. Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz and Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton suffered punctures and were forced to limp around the track to pit as the Safety Car was deployed.

The Safety Car exited the track at the end of lap 39. This time, Norris managed to stay close to Verstappen, using the slipstream on the straight to mount an attack around the outside. Verstappen defended aggressively and retained the lead.

Shortly after, Hülkenberg spun off, triggering another Safety Car. Once again, Verstappen made the most of the restart and held his lead as Norris fought to fend off Leclerc.

Norris was later hit with a 10-second stop/go penalty for failing to slow under yellow flags before the first Safety Car period. After pitting on lap 45, he dropped to last place, enabling Verstappen to cruise comfortably to the finish line. Norris eventually recovered to finish 10th.

Following the weekend’s action, Verstappen’s points tally in the 2024 Drivers’ Championship has grown to 429 points. Norris is second with 349 points, and Leclerc is third with 341 points. In the Constructors’ Championship, McLaren leads with 640 points, Ferrari is second with 619 points, and Red Bull is third with 581 points.

The next race is the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, set for this weekend and closing the 2024 calendar. Heading into the race, the Constructors’ Championship is still undecided. Alpine has also confirmed that Jack Doohan will sit in for Ocon in Abu Dhabi, to give the F1 rookie some experience ahead of joining the squad in 2025. Ocon is set to race for Haas next season and Doohan was named as his replacement in August.

Below are the full results from the 2024 Formula 1 Qatar Grand Prix:

1) Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
2) Charles Leclerc, Ferrari +6.031 seconds
3) Oscar Piastri, McLaren +6.819 seconds
4) George Russell, Mercedes-Benz AMG +14.104 seconds
5) Pierre Gasly, Alpine +16.782 seconds
6) Carlos Sainz, Ferrari +17.476 seconds
7) Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin +19.867 seconds
8) Zhou Guanyu, Sauber +25.360 seconds
9) Kevin Magnussen , Haas +32.177 seconds
10) Lando Norris, McLaren +35.762 seconds
11) Valtteri Bottas, Sauber +50.243 seconds
12) Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes-Benz AMG +56.122 seconds
13) Yuki Tsunoda, RB +61.100 seconds
14) Liam Lawson, RB +62.656 seconds
15) Alexander Albon, Williams +1 lap
NC) Nico Hulkenberg, Haas – DNF
NC) Sergio Perez, Red Bull Racing – DNF
NC) Lance Stroll, Aston Martin – DNF
NC) Franco Colapinto, Williams – DNF
NC) Esteban Ocon, Alpine – DNF