The sixth and final Sprint of the season will get underway this weekend at the Qatar Grand Prix with McLaren, Ferrari, and Red Bull Racing in fierce contention for the FIA Formula 1 World Constructors’ Championship.
Following a scintillating Las Vegas Grand Prix, which saw Dutchman Max Verstappen claim his fourth consecutive Formula 1 World Championship last weekend at age 27, the longest season in the series history heads to its penultimate venue, the Qatar GP, staged at the Lusail International Circuit.
The permanent racetrack spans 5.419km (3.367 miles) and features a series of flat-out straights and medium-high speed corners, 16 overall, over 57 laps.
Despite being a night race, the high temperatures and humidity levels have traditionally posed an extra challenge for the drivers in previous rounds.
This year, the race is being held in November rather than October, a factor that may help tackle the high temperatures.
Formula 1 official tire supplier, Pirelli, will bring the hardest trio of compounds in the 2024 range, the C3 as Soft, the C2 as Medium, and the C1 as Hard to the circuit.
Upgrades for the third edition of the Grand Prix see curb height reduced at the exit of Turns 1, 2, 4, 10, 13, and 14 as at the entry and exit at turn 12.
Last year, the curb’s height became a significant problem, causing great stress and micro-lacerations in the sidewalls of the tires.
In addition, a wide gravel strip has been installed behind the curb at the exit of Turns 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 12, 13, 14, and 15.
Furthermore, a white line has been moved to a distance of 1.5m to the gravel at the exit of Turns 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 13, 14, and 15, as at the entry of turn 12.
McLaren, Scuderia Ferrari, and Red Bull Racing will aim to end 2024 on a high note, clinching the F1 Constructors’ Championship with only points in Qatar and Abu Dhabi for the grabs.
The squad founded by Bruce McLaren leads with 608 points; also in contention, the Prancing Horse follows closely (584), while the Milton Keynes outfit stands just 29 points behind it.
McLaren Team Principal Andrea Stella commented: “After a more challenging weekend in Las Vegas, we now head to the penultimate race of the year. The conditions and circuit in Qatar suit our car well, so we are ready to maximize all opportunities, especially with the additional crucial points available in the Sprint.
“Our mission to win the Championship remains clear, and the fight is closer than ever. It’s a three-way battle, and every point counts….
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