Mika Hakkinen Preview - 2024 Qatar Grand Prix

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Ahead of the Qatar Grand Prix weekend I must congratulate Max Verstappen on winning his 4th Formula 1 World Championship title, a really fantastic achievement during a season when his Red Bull was not the quickest car.  The victories which he scored in the early part of the season gave him a strong lead, of course, but it is incredible to realise that he did not win a race for four months - from Barcelona until Sao Paulo.

In some ways this has been Max’s best championship because he often had to accept he could not win the race, but he did what was needed to protect his lead, finish on the podium or at least score enough points to step his rivals from closing on him.  Winning races is one thing, putting together a World Championship requires a different mindset as you learn the importance of consistency, knowing when to back off, save the car, maximise the points.

I also think it’s been impressive to see Max mature into such a strong team leader, helping Red Bull Racing to win the Drivers’ title in a season when the cars performance was inconsistent, the team had some tensions and his team mate Checo Perez struggled to support him on track.  He has really developed into the most complete driver.

At the beginning of the season I don’t think Lando Norris considered that he would be Max’s biggest rival, but the McLaren driver has driven very well and should not be too disappointed to lose out on this year’s title.  He has plenty of time on his side and I think both he and the team have learned a huge amount this year.  

If McLaren can keep the development of the car moving in the right direction into 2025, Max will not find next year’s World Championship as easy to dominate in the first half of the season and I expect Lando and team mate Oscar Piastri to be right there from Melbourne onwards.

Take Note

Qatar is hot and last year the drivers found it very tough.  This year’s race is a bit later in the calendar, but one thing is for sure, it will not be cold like the Las Vegas night race!  This is also a Sprint Race weekend, so the teams have very little time to prepare ahead of Saturday’s Sprint and Sunday’s Grand Prix.  The pressure is on.

The cold conditions last weekend were one of the reason Mercedes surprised both their competition and themselves by being so competitive.  Small differences in how a car operates on its Pirelli tyres have a very big impact on performance.

Qatar’s Losail Circuit is all high speed, a track with fast, flowing corners and no heavy braking points.  Although Mercedes are confident this circuit will suit their car’s character, and Lewis Hamilton won here in 2021, I believe McLaren, Ferrari and Red Bull all be pushing for the win.

Although the World Championship for Drivers is settled, there is still a big fight going in the World Championship for Constructors.  Remember, this is the championship which determines each team’s share of the sport’s billion dollar prize fund.  McLaren leads Ferrari by only 24 points, they should be able to protect their lead but cannot afford any major problems or to not finish.  

Meanwhile the fight for 6th place in the championship is incredibly tight with three teams - Haas, Alpine and RB - separated by only 4 points, a USD$20-30m difference in prize money!

Mika’s Tip

As World Champion Max can now relax, fight hard, take risks and go for victory if his car is quick enough. He won here last year. But the big fight will be between the McLarens and Ferraris.  After a disappointing Las Vegas, expect Lando Norris and Charles Leclerc to be pushing flat out for the win with Oscar Piastri and Carlos Sainz also in the frame as these teams fight to maximise points. 

Credits:
Written by: Mika Hakkinen, publishing origin: Unibet
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