The Qatar Grand Prix was marked by chaos, as it saw safety cars, crashes, retirements, punctures, and penalties. Although Max Verstappen emerged victorious, much of the attention shifted to the constructors’ championship battle, which is now set to conclude in Abu Dhabi. McLaren leads Ferrari by 21 points, with a maximum of 44 points up for grabs in the season finale. Additionally, there is a fierce contest for P6 in the standings, with Alpine holding a slight lead over Haas, separated by just five points.
Beyond the on-track action, the Qatar Grand Prix stirred up discussions around penalties and the timing of the safety car, which the FIA later clarified. There was also a notable driver change, with Jack Doohan replacing Esteban Ocon for the Abu Dhabi race. Another key story revolves around Sergio Pérez and his uncertain future in Formula 1, while Red Bull has yet to announce its full driver lineup for 2025.
Sentimentality also looms over the season’s final race, as several drivers prepare to say goodbye to their current teams. Lewis Hamilton will race his last Grand Prix for Mercedes, Carlos Sainz will close his chapter at Ferrari, and Kevin Magnussen, Valtteri Bottas, and Zhou Guanyu will race in their last Formula 1 event for the foreseeable future. These departures mark a significant shift in the sport as the 2024 season comes to an end.
As for the constructors’ championship, McLaren seems to have the advantage, with a 21-point gap over Ferrari. McLaren only needs P4 and P5 finishes from Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri to secure the title. Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz remains optimistic, stating, “I think if we nail a good weekend, we’ll still make it happen.” The midfield battle for P6 is closely contested, with Alpine likely to edge out Haas, given their recent performances, particularly Pierre Gasly’s P5 finish in Qatar.
The ongoing drama surrounding the FIA and its management of race decisions, including the safety car situation in Qatar, continues to affect the sport. FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem’s response to driver concerns has fueled frustration, with Mercedes’ Toto Wolff describing the situation as “chaos.” The FIA has promised improvements in transparency, especially under new race director Rui Marques, but it remains to be seen how the relationship between the FIA, teams, and drivers will evolve moving forward.
