Grand Prix 2021 Qatar Grand Prix Practice, Qualifying & Race Discussion

As F1 continues its carbon emission busting trip around the globe and the season enters its final 3 races, logic suggests that with a 14-point lead, Max Verstappen remains the favourite to take the title from his arch rival Lewis Hamilton however, after Hamilton’s superb drive in Brazil an 8th title for Lewis remains very much a possibility.

In a season disrupted by the ongoing global pandemic Liberty Media promised us 22 races and if that means hosting races in whichever country has a track and stumps up the cash then by God, they’ll deliver on that promise.

This weekend the F1 glitterati find themselves flying halfway around the world (11,865km to be exact) from Brazil to the middle eastern country of Qatar. Already building up to host the 2022 FIFA world cup this event marks another coup for the Gulf state.

I promised myself when I was typing this write up that I would be fair and balanced so I will definitely not mention the human rights issues going on in that region.

I will not for example mention the 6500 migrant workers who have died in Qatar in the last ten years constructing the FIFA world cup facilities.

I also will not cover the fact that the massive building program of new tourist and stadium facilities taking place in Qatar is mainly being undertaken by a workforce of 1.7 million migrant workers. These workers are treated like modern slaves. They have their passports seized on arrival, live in squalid work camps and in some cases are abused, have their wages withheld and are forced to work long and punishing hours. These workers are paid on average $220 US dollars a month

Then of course we won’t discuss the experience faced by the LGBT community which could face punishments of up to 3 years in prison for any expression of affection. Worse still, under Sharia law they could face a death sentence.

Of course, we won’t talk about woman’s rights which are extremely poor. Women face no legal protection from domestic violence or rape in marriage. Women must obtain permission to marry from a male guardian and face all sorts of legal hurdles in relation to divorce, childcare, employment and other rights.

As I said, to be fair and balanced we don’t need to discuss any of these issues and I’m certain that the rights abuses in Qatar will be rightly and vocally condemned by the teams and drivers throughout the weekend. Especially as the F1’s #weraceasone programme promises to create positive and lasting change in local communities.

All that remains to be said is I hope everyone enjoys the race and it turns about to be a thriller.

 

[Johnny Carwash]

Grid penalty for Lewis Hamilton as it’s against the law to punish Verstappen.

 

[Il_leone]

Just seen it if it's true its a 3 place grid drop at worst which means Red Bull either have to ask Gasly to move over or challenge the Mercs

 

[Hamberg]

Vettel is slowly becoming my new favourite
“It’s a bit of a shame because I had the yellow flag in the last sector and then the yellow flag cleared, I guess, because Max was coming.”

Vettel suspects yellow flag was withdrawn at end of Q3 "because Max was coming"

Sebastian Vettel backed out of his final lap in qualifying for the Qatar Grand Prix after Pierre Gasly suffered a puncture late in Q3.

t.co

 

[MarkP2017]

Well, as Max didn't force the flag waver to dive out of his way I think this comes under "Let them race".

 

[cider_and_toast]

To be fair, Vettel has gone about his business quite well this season. It took him a while to get his feet under the table at Aston but now he's got the measure of the car he's comfortably out performing Stroll.

 

[MarkP2017]

To be fair, Vettel has gone about his business quite well this season. It took him a while to get his feet under the table at Aston but now he's got the measure of the car he's comfortably out performing Stroll.

He's more his old self now that the pressure of driving for Ferrari has gone.

 

[Speshal]

Oh dear Perez.

Albon was fired for less. Obviously the Bhat is worth less than the Peso.

Someone here will have the stats, I'm sure,

 

[Brogan]

Verstappen, Bottas, and Sainz have all been summoned to speak with Max's dad, err I mean the stewards.

 

[The Artist.....]

what is going to be interesting is that if penalties are meted out, they are applied in the order that they are awarded. In principle, this should mean that Bottas is penalised, then Sainz, then Verstappen, but I suspect it will be the reverse.

If Verstappen gets a 5 place penalty, and Bottas and Sainz 3 place penalties:
Verstappen moves back to 7th
Bottas back to 6th, then Sainz back to 8th(?), with Bottas starting 5th, and Verstappen 6th.

 

[FB]

Checo Chilton did a stunning job today didn't he.

 

[Brogan]

As I understand it, the penalties must be applied in the order the drivers were reported.

 

[Johnny Carwash]

Verstappen is for double waved yellows, Sainz and Bottas for single waved yellows. More harsh penalty for Verstappen in the offing.

 

[The Artist.....]

As I understand it, the penalties must be applied in the order the drivers were reported.

I’ve never understood that…. You have A few drivers with penalties. Form the grid, and then apply all of the penalties in full (simultaneously). (So if verstappen gets a 5 place grid penalty, he will start 7th). Only appeal to the order of the reports if two drivers are moved back to the same position!
Japan 2009 made a mockery, where drivers who had been penalised actually started higher than their qualifying position!

 

[cider_and_toast]

I’ve never understood that…. You have A few drivers with penalties. Form the grid, and then apply all of the penalties in full (simultaneously). (So if verstappen gets a 5 place grid penalty, he will start 7th). Only appeal to the order of the reports if two drivers are moved back to the same position!
Japan 2009 made a mockery, where drivers who had been penalised actually started higher than their qualifying position!

So, let's say Verstappen qualifies 2nd and gets a 5 place grid drop. Bottas in 3rd gets a three place drop.

If Verstappen is dropped first that shifts Bottas to second so his drop then goes from second to fifth instead of third to sixth. So in effect Bottas only gets a two place drop.

But, let's also say that Bottas committed his issue after Verstappen committed his. Who do you penalise first?

When you are dealing with three drivers it gets even more complicated.

 

[Brogan]

But, let's also say that Bottas committed his issue after Verstappen committed his. Who do you penalise first?

Verstappen would have his penalty applied first, as he broke the rules before Bottas did.

 

[Il_leone]

Verstappen improved his time when yellow flags were out more than Bottas that might be telling

 

[cider_and_toast]

Verstappen would have his penalty applied first, as he broke the rules before Bottas did.

Exactly. Hence the need for the order.

 

[Brogan]

Oh, I didn't realise you were responding to the The Artist.....'s question

Nothing to see here, move along

 

[cider_and_toast]

That's ok. You backed my point up nicely mate.

 

[The Artist.....]

Exactly. Hence the need for the order.

I think the question is why we would apply them like this, as it inevitably means that drivers don’t get the full penalty. If it’s a five place penalty, and you qualify 2nd, you should start 7th (irrespective of whether other drivers also have penalties). The only point you should start messing around is in the case of a tie (Post penalties).

Alternatively, you could apply the penalties in the reverse order of qualifying (so Sainz, Bottas, Verstappen here). If everyone received the same penalty, then the order would be preserved, and the penalties most appropriately applied. By applying them in the order they are reported, you end up with ridiculous situations like Suzuka 09 where some drivers moved back 5 places, others 1 place, despite all having the same penalty imposed.