Max Verstappen strengthened his dominance in the 2024 season by winning the Qatar Grand Prix, overcoming three safety car periods and benefiting from a 10-second penalty imposed on Lando Norris, who was shaping up as his main rival at Losail.
The Dutch driver started from second position due to a penalty for blocking George Russell during qualifying, but he overtook the Briton at the start and led the race throughout. This triumph, his second in the last three races, reinforces Verstappen's control over the current championship.
Norris's Penalty
Lando Norris’s pace kept him within reach of victory, but an infraction under yellow flags on lap 30 dashed his hopes. This incident occurred when Norris failed to slow down after a rear-view mirror from Alex Albon’s Williams fell off and was run over by Valtteri Bottas’s Alfa Romeo, scattering debris on the main straight.
The damage caused by the debris affected several drivers, including Carlos Sainz and Lewis Hamilton, who suffered simultaneous punctures on their front-left tires. These incidents led to the deployment of the safety car, during which Verstappen and Norris opted for hard tires.
Despite Norris’s efforts to stay close to the RB20 after the restart, he received a 10-second penalty, dropping him to tenth place while Verstappen extended his lead.
Russell Loses Pole Advantage
George Russell started from pole position but couldn’t maintain his lead against Verstappen’s stronger start. Although he tried to stay competitive, his pace was not enough to challenge for the podium. Meanwhile, Charles Leclerc and Oscar Piastri secured second and third places, respectively, taking advantage of their rivals' lack of pace.
Chaos and Retirements
The race was packed with incidents, including Nico Hulkenberg’s retirement after losing control of his car at Turn 9. This triggered a third safety car period, adding to the uncertainty in the race. Sergio Pérez, Lance Stroll, and Esteban Ocon also retired, highlighting the challenges posed by the Losail track for teams and drivers.
Final Results of the Qatar GP
| Position | Driver | Team | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | M. Verstappen | Red Bull Racing | - |
| 2 | C. Leclerc | Ferrari | +6.031s |
| 3 | O. Piastri | McLaren | +6.819s |
| 4 | G. Russell | Mercedes | +14.104s |
| 5 | P. Gasly | Alpine | +16.782s |
| 6 | C. Sainz | Ferrari | +17.476s |
| 7 | F. Alonso | Aston Martin Racing | +19.867s |
| 8 | Z. Guanyu | Sauber | +25.360s |
| 9 | K. Magnussen | Haas F1 Team | +32.177s |
| 10 | L. Norris | McLaren | +38.586s |
| 11 | V. Bottas | Sauber | +53.067s |
| 12 | L. Hamilton | Mercedes | +58.946s |
| 13 | Y. Tsunoda | Red Bull | +1:03.924s |
| 14 | L. Lawson | Red Bull | +1:05.480s |
| 15 | A. Albon | Williams | +1 lap |
| DNF | N. Hulkenberg | Haas F1 Team | - |
| DNF | S. Pérez | Red Bull Racing | - |
| DNF | L. Stroll | Aston Martin Racing | - |
| DNF | F. Colapinto | Williams | - |
| DNF | E. Ocon | Alpine | - |
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