Key occasions
Qatar Grand Prix race begins
Off they go for the formation lap! We’re underway on the Lusail Worldwide Circuit.
We’re a pair minutes away from lights out in Lusail. We have now simply heard of from the nationwide anthem carried out by the Qatar Music Academy Choir.
Right here is our beginning grid.
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George Russell – Mercedes
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Max Verstappen – Crimson Bull
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Lando Norris – McLaren
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Oscar Piastri – McLaren
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Charles Leclerc – Ferrari
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Lewis Hamilton – Mercedes
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Carlos Sainz – Ferrari
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Fernando Alonso – Aston Martin
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Sergio Pérez – Crimson Bull
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Kevin Magnussen – Haas
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Pierre Gasly – Alpine Renault
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Zhou Guanyu – Sauber
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Valtteri Bottas – Sauber
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Yuki Tsunoda – RB Honda
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Lance Stroll – Aston Martin
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Alexander Albon – Williams
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Liam Lawson – RB Honda
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Nico Hulkenberg – Haas
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Franco Colapinto – Williams
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Esteban Ocon – Alpine Renault
The Crimson Bull staff principal Christian Horner tells Sky Sports activities that George Russell was dashing himself through the dash, and likens it to a “soccer participant taking a dive within the penalty field”.
“Not fairly positive why we ended up with a one place penalty but when Max wanted any additional motivation it has given him it for this. He’s wound up for this one.”
Our first e mail of the day! Louise writes:
What’s your opinion on Verstappen’s punishment? Each Verstappen and Russell had been in a ‘gradual’ lap. Usually, you’ll attempt to get some clear air in entrance of you simply earlier than beginning a quick lap. You’ll be able to see there may be one other driver in entrance of Verstappen and Russell is dashing. It appears like this was a mistake by the race engineers, not telling them what occurred, not a drivers mistake? Verstappen stated he was getting ready his quick lap and abruptly noticed Russell on his tail.
The opposite driver was Fernando Alonso and you’re proper, he was going the very same velocity as effectively. Verstappen saved the identical distance by means of each turns, he didn’t simply determine to brake proper as he was turning a nook. Actually bizzare and I believe that’s the reason they minimised the penalty for Verstappen. Normally this example could be a three-place grid penalty.
McLaren may clinch their first Constructors’ Championship since 1998 as we speak in the event that they:
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Outscore Ferrari by 15 factors or extra if they don’t win the race or outscore Ferrari by 14 factors in the event that they do win the race.
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Not be outscored by Crimson Bull by 23 factors or extra.
A glance again on how Verstappen turned the 2024 champion.
Max Verstappen talking to Sky Sports activities on qualifying and his penalty:
Qualifying was very optimistic. The automobile appears to be working a bit higher. I hope within the race we may be aggressive and struggle up entrance.
We are going to attempt to struggle for the win. I’m one place again however let’s see the way it goes.
Ben Sulayem: ‘None of your corporation how FIA is run’
The FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem has informed System One drivers to thoughts their very own enterprise after they requested the place cash from race fines was going and why senior figures had left the governing physique.
In an interview earlier than as we speak’s race, Ben Sulayem advised the drivers ought to keep on with what they know finest.
“Do we now have to inform them? When one thing within the groups modifications, do they inform us?” Ben Sulayem stated when requested concerning the shock departure of the race director Niels Wittich earlier than final weekend’s title-deciding Las Vegas Grand Prix. “We have now the principles, we comply with our guidelines. We don’t comply with another person’s rule. Easy as this.”
Wittich has stated he didn’t resign and the FIA have given no public clarification as to why he abruptly left past saying it was to pursue new alternatives. Media experiences have stated he was sacked.
The Mercedes driver George Russell, a director of the Grand Prix Drivers’ Affiliation (GPDA), stated on Thursday drivers wished readability and understanding “of what’s occurring and who’s getting fired subsequent”.
Ben Sulayem, a former rally driver who was elected as FIA head in 2021, responded: “Can we inform them drive? Can we inform them what to have as their technique? It’s none of their enterprise. Sorry … I’m a driver. I respect the drivers. Allow them to go and focus on what they do finest, which is race.”
The GPDA issued a outstanding assertion final month, in response to an FIA clampdown on swearing, through which they requested Ben Sulayem to deal with them like adults and thoughts his personal language in the direction of them.
In addition they requested monetary transparency and stated all stakeholders, together with drivers and groups, ought to collectively decide how and the place the cash from fines was spent – with some suggesting it may assist fund skilled stewards.
“They discuss after which they are saying, the place are you placing the cash? Why we don’t do that? I don’t say ‘Oh, sorry, what about you?’” stated Ben Sulayem. “The drivers are getting over 100m. Do I ask the place they spend it? No. It’s as much as them. It’s their proper … we do no matter we do with the cash. It’s our enterprise. It’s additionally with them and their cash. It’s their enterprise.”
Ben Sulayem stated the drivers had his cell quantity and he had nothing to cover. He stated he “lived freed from cost” within the brains of critics within the media and didn’t want them or care what folks stated. He additionally rejected any suggestion that the FIA was in disaster and struggling a employees exodus beneath his management.
Regardless of his “none of your corporation” stance, the Emirati stated later that €10.3m had been invested in grassroots single-seater racing final 12 months.
“You actually suppose I might waste the cash? This isn’t business. That is the cash of the members, and I’ve been elected to safeguard that,” he stated. He added that 64 staff had joined the FIA in 2023 and 92 in 2024. “I’ve been elected to repair the FIA. and I’m fixing it. I’m very proud of our new staff. Very glad. I inherited an FIA with an working value of €23m. And the place is it now? This would be the first 12 months that we’re plus.” Reuters
Preamble
Crimson Bull’s Max Verstappen could already be our 2024 System One champion however the struggle for second within the drivers’ standings and prime honors within the constructors’ standings continues to be very a lot alive within the second to final race of the season.
Mercedes’ George Russell will begin from pole place in Qatar after Verstappen was given a one-place grid penalty for obstacle throughout qualifying. Within the closing laps of qualifying, Verstappen slowed within the third sector, forcing Russell onto gravel.
Verstappen’s alleged offence was “driving unnecessarily slowly” and after Russell gave his model of occasions, a call was communicated greater than three hours after the tip of the session.
It wouldn’t be F1 with out drama, proper?
Verstappen’s factors tally is 404 factors. McLaren’s Lando Norris is second with 347 factors and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc is third with 323 factors.
For constructors, McLaren leads with 623 factors. Ferrari is second with 593 factors and Crimson Bull is third with 556 factors.
As at all times, you probably have any ideas, questions, predictions, complaints or jokes you wish to share, then ship me an e mail.
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