F1 heads to Qatar: Times, stats, predictions

November 27, 2024 ndowd

Nov 27, 2024, 10:13 AM ET

Max Verstappen claimed his fourth Formula 1 world title on Saturday at the Las Vegas Grand Prix, but the constructors’ championship is yet to be decided.

McLaren’s poor performance in Las Vegas means Ferrari has managed to eat into their lead. With two races remaining, the last trophy is still to play for.

Qatar is usually a physically demanding race and sees a big shift in time zone and temperature from the a night race in the cold Nevada desert straight to the warm climes of Doha.

The Qatar Grand Prix is slightly later than in previous years to make adjustments for the heat. The weather forecast is for highs of 24°C and lows of 18°C, with humidity around 58%.

How the championships look

McLaren lead the constructors’ championship by 19 points over Ferrari, with five wins apiece.

While Verstappen has now wrapped up the drivers’ title, McLaren’s Lando Norris and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc are locked in a battle for second place, with the Brit 21 points ahead despite both having won three times this season.

Qatar is the final sprint race of the year, with points on offer for Saturday and Sunday, before the season finale in Abu Dhabi next week.

Standings | Calendar | Teams

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Circuit stats and history

Lusail International Circuit served as a motorbike circuit prior to joining the F1 calendar in 2021, on a 10-year contract. Qatar did not host a grand prix in 2022 as they focused on the FIFA World Cup, but it returned in 2023.

The circuit is one of the most demanding on the calendar with long straights and sweeping high-speed corners coupled with intense heat and humidity, making conditions for the cars and drivers difficult.

Laps: 57 laps of 5.4km. Total distance 308km.

Lap record: 1:24.319, Verstappen (2023)

Most wins: With only two editions, Verstappen (2023) and Lewis Hamilton (2021) have won here previously.

Most poles: Verstappen (2023) and Hamilton (2021) won from pole.

What happened last year?

One day after clinching his third world title in the sprint race, Max Verstappen cruised to victory in the 2023 Qatar Grand Prix.

The McLarens of Oscar Piastri and Norris took their second double podium in as many races, while the Mercedes duo of Hamilton and Russell collided on the first lap.