Grand Prix 2024 Qatar Grand Prix Practice, Qualifying & Race Discussion

Cling on to your undies and keep those moist towelettes on standby folks, the next thrilling edition of the 2024 Formula One season is about to smack us in the chops.

Fun filled and joyous Qatar hosts the 23rd race of the season and I know you just can't wait.

Qatar has the 8th highest nominal GDP per capita in the world and its approximately 310000 citizens are well looked after by the roughly 2.7 million expats and migrant workers who also live in their country. As a Middle Eastern state the sun shines all year round and it rarely rains which means you don't often see rainbows.

The track itself has some straight bits and some corners, goes around in a big loop and has a start finish line. The usual experience.

Fans across the world are on the edge of their seats, nails bitten to the quick, as we all wonder who will clinch the prized world constructors title.

Many questions may be answered this weekend.

Will Christian Horner concede Perez is awful and without Newey Red Bull are screwed?

Since Danica Patrick hosted a podcast talking about rich, powerful people being alien lizards, why has Damon Hill chosen to retire from Sky TV's coverage?

Will a mechanic at the lower end of the grid accidentally run over Ted Kravitz with a forklift and wipe that smug grin off his face?

Will McLaren try a different tactic by starting Lando on the grid facing backwards because that's the direction he seems to take off the line and this time he may actually gain a place?

Will Lewis Hamilton just say sod it and punch Max Verstappen in the balls?

Come Sunday afternoon, we'll find out.

I'm busy both Saturday and Sunday but I'm sure some of you will tune in.

Here are your weekend timings;

First Practice	29 November	13:30
Sprint Qualifying	29 November	17:30
Sprint	30 November	14:00
Qualification	30 November	18:00
Race	1 December	16:00

All times are UK.

 

[The Artist.....]

It's like asking the police to only give you one penalty point for speeding instead of three because it was late at night and the roads were empty.

It would have made much more sense to have a penalty of deleting his fastest time in qualifying. This, at least, has a precedent, and it would have led to the same outcome.

Of course, the stewards may have decided to err on the side of a 1 place penalty, because in the sprint race, those on the even side of the grid seemed to have terrible getaways. I wouldn't be surprised to see Russell leading Norris by the end of the first lap.

 

[F1Brits_90]

Also, it was the second lap that he had ruined - Norris' first lap on the final set of new tyres had to be abandoned after coming across a dawdling Max Verstappen...

that might be it. that he effected more than 1 driver. but i guess this is the issue of changing race director mid season. this types of rules change. & we have a lack of consistency. as far as ive known. stewards only blocking on fast laps & if it was penalised then it's 3 places. now its reported for blocking russell on preparation lap. (behind closed doors norris might have been brought up) & 1 place.

 

[Christoon]

That was a good F2 race.

 

[Brogan]

It was made clear in the driver's briefing.

Verstappen just ignored it as usual.

 

[The Artist.....]

https://www.fia.com/sites/default/files/decision-document/2024%20Qatar%20Grand%20Prix%20-%20Parts%20and%20Parameters%20been%20replaced%20and%20or%20changed%20during%20Parc%20Ferm%C3%A9.pdf

I really am frustrated by the "parc ferme" rules. Cars are having many many parts replaced, without any penalty - and it would not surprise me if these changes elicit set-up changes as well.

 

[F1Brits_90]

That was a good F2 race.

F2 has been very good this yr. enjoyed yesterday of bearman show patience & maturity. of not rushing & keeping the faith hadjar would come back to him at the end of the race

Antotelli is most confusing feeder series driver. as ive seen him be outstanding & bordering on magical in hungary & then 3 secs quicker a lap in a wet silverstone. but then ive seen him have his dreadful moments like monaco & yesterday

 

[The Artist.....]

So, Norris is given a 10 second stop go penalty, that has not been given for as long as I can remember. The stewards are making it up as they go along.

 

[The Artist.....]

Now a drive-through penalty for Hamilton. Again, a penalty that hasn't been used in donkeys years

 

[Brogan]

Red Bull must have complained sufficiently about Verstappen's penalty and now they're trying to even things out.

 

[The Artist.....]

Red Bull must have complained sufficiently about Verstappen's penalty and now they're trying to even things out.

Yes - I suspect you’re right.

 

[The Artist.....]

When VERSTAPPEN did exactly the same thing - through double waved yellows in 2021, he received a five place grid penalty.

Norris received a 13 place penalty for a less serious infringement.

 

[F1Brits_90]

just watching on delay. that 1st lap was carnage. looked like Albon was a factor in his teammates crash. chopped hulkenberg off that cause him to crash into ocon & then smash in colopinto.

then he gets taken out by stroll who had another amateur hour as in to 2 corners had huge lock up & then took out albon

 

[The Artist.....]

The real screw up is that Verstappen set the fastest lap of the race (up to that point) through the yellow flags. Of course, Verstappen didn’t get a penalty, but Norris did…

 

[cider_and_toast]

Only heard the first few laps on the radio and they said that Verstappen looked as far forward in his box at the start of the race as Piastri who received a penalty a few races ago.

I hate all these conspiracy theories but it does seem as if he gets away with blue murder.

I don't know why there are certain drivers who seem to have their own chapter in the rule book.

 

[F1Brits_90]

before my rant. im expecting a penalty for norris because DRS & not lifting down the straight is a no-no regardless of any driver you cant do that under double yellows, in which it is said "slow down & be prepared to stop"

--------------------------------------------------

wow that is harsh. i get that its a safety issue & it is quite bad DRS & flat. but i wouldve said 10 second was enough.

 

[F1Brits_90]

but then on the real point. i have rarely seen such moronic f1 stewards. had they nodded of (i wouldn't blame them as the race was dreadful, cars too quick for this circuit) but what we saw is incompetence of the highest degree. whoever was responsible for that should never be allowed in race control again. if something was that dangerous you require double yellow flags. why did we wait 5 laps for the inevitable. or did they think we could race for 25 laps & nobody was going to try something at the only overtaking part of the lap

the SC or VSC shouldve been out within 30seconds to retrieve it. the stewards incompetence ruined 2 peoples race.

 

[The Artist.....]

but then on the real point. i have rarely seen such moronic f1 stewards. had they nodded of (i wouldn't blame them as the race was dreadful, cars too quick for this circuit) but what we saw is incompetence of the highest degree. whoever was responsible for that should never be allowed in race control again. if something was that dangerous you require double yellow flags. why did we wait 5 laps for the inevitable. or did they think we could race for 25 laps & nobody was going to try something at the only overtaking part of the lap

the SC or VSC shouldve been out within 30seconds to retrieve it. the stewards incompetence ruined 2 peoples race.

Three people’s race - Norris, Sainz and Hamilton.

 

[F1Brits_90]

When VERSTAPPEN did exactly the same thing - through double waved yellows in 2021, he received a five place grid penalty.

Norris received a 13 place penalty for a less serious infringement.

i dont know if this is the new race director put his foot down & telling stewards to be extremely strict. or stewards doing from their own accord

it was a penalty but it was far harsher than i expected. whereas other drivers lifted or didn't use DRS. to show they have seen the issue. lando ploughed on like nothing happened

 

[The Artist.....]

it was a penalty but it was far harsher than i expected. whereas other drivers lifted or didn't use DRS. to show they have seen the issue. lando ploughed on like nothing happened

As did Verstappen…. The only reason he wasn’t using DRS was that DRS wasn’t activated for him.

 

[F1Brits_90]

As did Verstappen…. The only reason he wasn’t using DRS was that DRS wasn’t activated for him.

depends on the engine mapping & whether he lifted on the straight