Formulation 1 returns to the Center East for the season’s remaining stretch. With the Drivers’ Championship wrapped up following Max Verstappen’s fourth consecutive triumph, the battle for the Constructors’ title stays huge open, with three groups – McLaren, Ferrari, and Crimson Bull – nonetheless in rivalry and 103 factors up for grabs.
The ultimate double-header of the longest season in Formulation 1 historical past begins in Qatar, which may even host the sixth and remaining Dash weekend of the yr. Over 13,000 kilometers and 11 time zones separate Las Vegas from Doha. The 2 Grands Prix share the attribute of being held at evening and being positioned close to huge desert areas, however the similarities finish there. In Nevada, the race was on a road circuit with medium- and low-speed corners and air and observe temperatures barely above 10°C. In Qatar, the Grand Prix is run on a everlasting circuit that includes medium- to high-speed corners and temperatures round 25°C.
Relating to tire sorts, just one compound, the C3, can be used throughout each weekends. At Lusail, which topics tires to vitality ranges similar to tracks like Suzuka and Silverstone, Pirelli will present the toughest compounds in its 2024 vary, with the C3 because the Mushy, C2 because the Medium, and C1 because the Onerous.
That is the third version of the Qatar Grand Prix, following the races in 2021 and 2023. Final yr’s weekend was marked by a choice from the FIA to impose a most of 18 laps per tire set in the course of the race, successfully main to a few pit stops per driver. This choice got here after Pirelli’s engineers, following their typical evaluation of returned tires from the primary and second days of observe motion, recognized the potential for micro-cuts on the tire shoulders as a result of impacts from repeated runs over the curbs in sure corners.
Within the months main as much as this Grand Prix, the FIA and Pirelli collaborated on a plan to keep away from a repeat of 2023’s points. The pyramidal curbs have been modified—rounding off their suggestions—in seven of the observe’s 16 corners: the primary two after the beginning, Flip 4, Flip 10, and the part between Turns 12 and 14, which induced the best stress on tire shoulders. Pirelli’s R&D Motorsport division carried out in depth exams on dynamic benches in Milan utilizing a pattern of the brand new curbs offered by the FIA. Moreover, tires used throughout exams by some Formulation 1 groups in current weeks at Lusail have been analyzed. Though these tires weren’t an identical to the 2024 vary, the information collected was useful in validating the simulations and findings from bench exams.
It’s additionally price noting that the FIA has added a gravel strip past some curbs to discourage drivers from exploiting them to realize a bonus.
One other notable facet of final yr’s version was the excessive humidity ranges on Sunday, which, mixed with the excessive October temperatures in Qatar, severely examined the bodily endurance of the drivers. Some suffered a lot from the warmth contained in the cockpit that it compelled just a few to retire. This yr, situations are anticipated to be higher, because the race is happening over a month later. Nonetheless, that incident prompted the FIA World Motor Sport Council to determine on the introduction of a normal cockpit cooling system for the most popular Grands Prix beginning in 2025.
It is going to nonetheless be troublesome to keep away from excessive asphalt temperatures at Lusail, which was resurfaced for final yr’s Grand Prix, making graining a possible challenge. This might considerably affect methods, as tires would possibly undergo from extreme thermal degradation. With solely restricted historic knowledge, predictions are difficult. Apart from 2023, in 2021, some drivers managed a one-stop technique, whereas others, together with the highest two finishers, Hamilton and Verstappen, used a two-stop technique. Tire utilization was additionally extremely variable, as have been methods in final yr’s Dash, the place 12 drivers began on Mediums and eight on Softs.
Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen have dominated the 2 earlier editions of the Grand Prix, every claiming one victory and one pole place. The Dutchman holds a slight edge with two quickest laps and a second-place end in 2021. Different podium finishers embrace Alonso (third with Alpine in 2021) and Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris, who completed second and third final yr, respectively.
The Qatar Grand Prix may even be the penultimate spherical of two help collection—FIA Formulation 2 and F1 Academy—each of which use Pirelli as their sole tire provider.
Minimal beginning pressures (slick tires):
Entrance: 26.0 psi
Rear: 22.5 psi
Most camber:
Entrance: -2.75°
Rear: -1.50°
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