The 2024 Qatar Grand Prix delivered high drama as Max Verstappen secured his second win in three races on Sunday, December 1, outpacing rivals George Russell and Lando Norris in a gripping contest.
Starting from a grid penalty after qualifying, Verstappen wasted no time reclaiming control. With a flawless launch, he surged past Russell into Turn 1 and deftly defended against Norris’s ambitious attempt around the outside in Turn 2, solidifying his lead.
An early safety car, triggered by a multi-car collision at the first corner, briefly reset the field. Once racing resumed, Verstappen and Norris engaged in an enthralling duel, exchanging fastest laps and pushing each other to the limit on the demanding high-speed circuit. The Red Bull driver, however, maintained composure under relentless pressure, avoiding any critical mistakes.
In a pivotal moment, Verstappen demonstrated sharp awareness by reporting Russell for failing to slow under double yellow flags due to track debris. The stewards acted swiftly, handing Russell a 10-second stop-and-go penalty, effectively eliminating him from contention and allowing Verstappen to cruise to victory with a comfortable margin over Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc.
The race was far from smooth for the rest of the grid. Five drivers retired, and penalties were a recurring theme, including a drive-through for Lewis Hamilton following a track limits infringement. Despite the chaos, a heartwarming highlight came from Zhou Guanyu, who secured Sauber’s first points of the season, ending their lengthy drought.
Max Verstappen’s composed performance reinforced his dominance, while the dramatic twists and turns made this a Grand Prix to remember.
| Pos. | Driver | Team | Time/Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Max Verstappen | Red Bull | 1:31:05.323 |
| 2. | Charles Leclerc | Ferrari | +6.031 |
| 3. | Oscar Piastri | McLaren | +6.819 |
| 4. | George Russell | Mercedes | +14.104 |
| 5. | Pierre Gasly | Alpine | +16.782 |
| 6. | Carlos Sainz | Ferrari | +17.476 |
| 7. | Fernando Alonso | Aston Martin | +19.867 |
| 8. | Zhou Guanyu | Sauber | +25.360 |
| 9. | Kevin Magnussen | Haas | +32.177 |
| 10. | Lando Norris | McLaren | +35.762 |
| 11. | Valtteri Bottas | Sauber | +50.243 |
| 12. | Lewis Hamilton | Mercedes | +56.122 |
| 13. | Yuki Tsunoda | RB | +61.100 |
| 14. | Liam Lawson | RB | +62.656 |
| 15. | Alex Albon | Williams | +1 Lap |
| 16. | Sergio Perez | Red Bull | DNF (Lap 39) |
| 17. | Nico Hulkenberg | Haas | DNF (Lap 39) |
| 18. | Lance Stroll | Aston Martin | DNF (Lap 10) |
| 19. | Franco Colapinto | Williams | DNF (Lap 0) |
| 20. | Esteban Ocon | Alpine | DNF (Lap 0) |
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