Lando Norris, the only competitor able to challenge Max Verstappen, was penalized for not slowing down under the yellow flag and this mistake significantly compromised his result. The stewards had a significant impact on the course of the race. The decision not to deploy a Virtual Safety Car to remove the debris from Alex Albon’s Williams mirror caused punctures for both Lewis Hamilton and Carlos Sainz, altering the course of the event. This episode raised controversies, as it was seen as a mistake that could affect the battle for the championship.

Looking at the data from the first stint, run on the medium tire, we can easily see how Max Verstappen and Lando Norris were virtually untouchable by the rest of the group. The pace set by the leading duo was about three-tenths faster than Charles Leclerc’s. The world champion made the difference over Lando Norris primarily in the first two sectors, using the exit phase of the corners. From the telemetry data collected from the Qatar Grand Prix, we can see how Lando Norris’s average gap drops during braking and increases during acceleration.

This means that the Briton favored the corner entry phase, where he couldn’t recover what he lost on exit and on the straights. Additionally, Lando Norris was saving fuel before turn 4, arriving there 7 km/h slower than Max Verstappen. The Briton was strong in the final part of the circuit, especially between turns 12 and 15, where he gained about 0.15s. For Ferrari, both drivers had to start the race very conservatively. This move was necessary to avoid issues with tire temperatures, prompting the team to adopt this strategy.

As explained by Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur, the introduction phase of the Pirelli yellow-walled tire was very difficult for the Scuderia. However, this precautionary approach ensured both drivers had more grip in the final part of the stint, where they were the fastest after Lando Norris and Max Verstappen. Looking specifically at Charles Leclerc’s conduct in the first part, it is noticeable that the greatest gap to Max Verstappen was made up in traction. Specifically, it concerns turn 1, 6, and 7, medium-slow corners that require a balanced car to combine throttle and steering angle.

Charles was the fastest in turn 5 and 9, where the time spent in the corner was shorter. Additionally, the Ferrari driver used the “trailing throttle” technique in all corners, never fully lifting his foot off the gas pedal. This is a technique often used by the Ferrari driver to favor the car’s rotation via the rear end. The first part of the race was also complicated for the two Mercedes drivers. George Russell, in third place, was losing more than 8 tenths per lap compared to Max Verstappen, and because of this, he had to pit earlier due to excessive tire degradation.

Similarly, behind Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton also never found a rhythm with the yellow-walled tire, lapping a second slower than the top drivers. The 7-time Formula 1 world champion was slowed down by Carlos Sainz in the early laps, showing grip problems from the sixth lap. The British driver couldn’t bring temperature to the tires due to the ineffective balance of his car. The setup he chose forced him to slow down more in the middle of the corners and be conservative on exit, especially in the medium-fast sections of the Qatari track.

After the last Safety Car, the Red Bull driver confirmed he was the fastest even with the hard tires. The Dutchman immediately opened a gap with Lando Norris and Charles Leclerc, setting a pace 4 tenths faster than the Monegasque. Lando showed he had the pace to compete, lapping only a tenth slower than Verstappen. The British driver quickly recovered to the back of the group after the stop & go, finishing tenth. Charles Leclerc was the third fastest on track, benefiting from a better adaptation of the SF-24 to the Hard tire, which allowed him to defend against Piastri.

Had he mounted the Medium, as many had speculated, he would have needed several laps to avoid destroying the tires. During that time, he would have been quite slow, making it easy for Oscar Piastri’s McLaren to catch him. On the other hand, if he had pushed immediately with the yellow-walled tires, he would have suffered from a lack of grip due to an ideal target temperature not being reached. Therefore, wisely, Ferrari avoided taking another risk, which, according to the calculations from the remote garage, would not have brought any advantage in race pace, as we have explained in this article.

The Monegasque driver suffered a slight drop in tire performance at the end of the stint, increasing his pace in the last 5 laps of the race. Carlos Sainz was stuck behind Pierre Gasly, who was impressive with an Alpine on the rise. The Frenchman gained an advantage in the middle sector, where he carried more speed through the corners than the Spaniard and was better in traction. Carlos Sainz closed the gap in the final sector, benefiting from a stiffer car that generated more aerodynamic downforce. However, this was not enough to attempt an overtake on the Frenchman on the pit straight.

All in all Ferrari optimized its performance in an unfavorable weekend. As in the Brazilian Grand Prix, the Maranello team showed its cynicism, extracting the maximum. Meanwhile, Lando Norris once again got caught up in the rush, benefiting Ferrari. Essentially, a weekend that was supposed to crown McLaren as world champion or make Abu Dhabi a mere formality instead gave hope back to the historic Italian team. The Maranello-based team has only one option at Yas Marina to bring a title that has been missing for 16 years back to the land of motors: a double podium, and hope that the third place does not feature a papaya-colored suit.

— see video above —

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The Qatar Grand Prix last year became infamous for its grueling conditions and oppressive heat, which pushed drivers to their limits.

Logan Sargeant, for instance, became so unwell that he had to retire from the race for safety reasons. In response, Formula 1 opted to move the event to a cooler time of year this season.

Despite the scheduling adjustment, which made the race less physically punishing, Ferrari still managed to put Charles Leclerc through an unnecessary challenge due to a careless oversight at the 5.419-kilometre Lusail International Circuit.

Peter Windsor calls out Ferrari for ‘odd’ mistake at Qatar Grand Prix
Charles Leclerc faced the grueling conditions of this year’s race without access to his drink system, thanks to an error during its setup. While such a misstep might have been disastrous last year, the cooler conditions allowed him to persevere, clinching a podium finish and securing valuable points for Ferrari in their constructors’ championship fight.

However, Peter Windsor didn’t hold back in his criticism of Ferrari, describing the mistake as “bizarre” and emphasizing that such errors simply shouldn’t occur at this level of motorsport: “He couldn’t get his drink bottle to work, there’s something to do with a clip under the balaclava for it,” he pointed out. You think they would have sorted all that out long before they get in the racecar, wouldn’t you? He was going on about how it’s a double-fastening, and they’ve got to make the single-fastening. Why aren’t they doing that stuff at Fiorano or somewhere? It seems bizarre to me that that would be a problem.”

Charles Leclerc faces a monumental challenge in Abu Dhabi as Ferrari’s season hinges on a miracle
The stage is set for a dramatic conclusion at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, where the battle to end a 16-year championship drought will be decided between McLaren and Ferrari.

McLaren holds a 21-point advantage heading into the final race, leaving Leclerc and teammate Carlos Sainz with the daunting task of delivering a flawless performance. A one-two finish would close the gap, but McLaren’s pace advantage in Qatar—and similar track conditions expected in Abu Dhabi—could make that a tall order.

This time, Charles Leclerc should have a functioning drinks system, which will make the physically demanding race more manageable. However, his real focus will be on achieving a victory that could define his tenure at Ferrari and finally bring home the glory he’s sought since joining the team.

Adding to the tension is the likelihood of an intense head-to-head showdown with McLaren, while Max Verstappen, unburdened by championship stakes, lurks as a wildcard ready to disrupt their plans. It promises to be a fiercely contested and high-stakes finale.

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Carlos Sainz has every reason to feel aggrieved by Ferrari’s decision not to renew his contract. Even with a driver as legendary as seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton available, Carlos Sainz believed he had earned the right to stay with the team.

This season has only reinforced that belief. Ahead of the Qatar Grand Prix, Carlos Sainz sits two places and 51 points ahead of Hamilton in the championship standings.

While much of this can be attributed to Ferrari’s edge over Mercedes this year, the more telling comparison lies in their performances relative to their teammates. Hamilton trails George Russell by nine points and has only outperformed him in 11 Grands Prix this season. In contrast, Carlos Sainz has defeated Charles Leclerc in 15 Grands Prix and could close the season within three of his teammate in both qualifying and race-day head-to-heads (currently 13-8 and 12-7).

Carlos Sainz has delivered yet another impressive campaign, but now faces the prospect of moving from Ferrari to Williams, a team battling at the lower end of the grid. Adding to his frustration, he’s had to watch Hamilton endure one of the toughest seasons of his career.

Peter Windsor puzzled by Carlos Sainz’s fire compared to Lewis Hamilton’s struggles at Qatar GP
Carlos Sainz’s determination was on full display during Sprint qualifying for the Qatar Grand Prix, where he clocked the fourth-fastest lap, narrowly edging out Charles Leclerc. In contrast, Hamilton struggled, finishing four-tenths slower than George Russell and qualifying seventh, while his teammate secured a spot on the front row alongside Lando Norris.

Reflecting on this disparity, Peter Windsor noted on his YouTube channel that Hamilton’s performance suggests he may have “mentally signed off.” Peter Windsor expressed confusion as to why the 39-year-old seems to lack drive, especially with a move to another top team on the horizon. Meanwhile, Carlos Sainz continues to fight relentlessly, despite knowing that next season will likely see him out of podium contention and competing for scraps in the midfield. He has outqualified Charles Leclerc recently and even claimed victory in Mexico City just last month, proving his unwavering determination.

“Maybe it’s Lewis kind of signed off mentally,” the former Ferrari general manager said. “But it’s interesting to compare [him to] Carlos Sainz, who in theory should be signing off mentally – Ferrari have basically sacked him after a very good year with the Scuderia, and he’s driving for Williams next year, which is not the same as going to another frontrunning team in the way Lewis is. And yet it’s interesting the way Carlos has approached these last three races, outqualifying his teammate, winning races, looking really good. Whereas Lewis Hamilton on the other side of the defence looks quite defeated at the moment.” – Peter Windsor added.

What Lewis Hamilton’s ‘darkest fears’ might be telling him as Mercedes chapter ends
Carlos Sainz, despite his imminent move to Williams, harbors hopes of one day returning to Ferrari. His new contract with the struggling team is long-term, but it includes an option to leave at the end of 2026, potentially aligning with future opportunities at Maranello.

This timing coincides intriguingly with the structure of Hamilton’s Ferrari deal, which is initially set for two years with a mutual option for a third. Whether that third season materializes could hinge on Hamilton’s ability to dispel doubts about his current form and resilience.

According to BBC Sport’s Andrew Benson, the seven-time Formula1 world champion might be grappling with some of his ‘darkest fears’ as he prepares to leave Mercedes. He’s likely questioning whether his recent struggles stem from his own performance or the limitations of the car.

A particularly puzzling element has been Hamilton’s complaints about rear instability, a trait he once famously mastered during his career. Historically renowned for his skill in handling oversteer, it raises questions about whether the unique demands of this generation of Formula 1 cars have muted some of the talents that set him apart as a legend of the sport.

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Saturday also started poorly, with the four-time Formula 1 world champion having to settle for eighth place, even behind the surprising Haas of German driver Nico Hulkenberg. Then came the technical “miracle” from the Austrian F1 team: a setup change that transformed the RB20 and allowed the Dutchman to make a difference. A great victory, deserved on the track, overcoming the FIA’s unfair penalty and George Russell’s double play. For McLaren, however, things went somewhat differently.

The sprint race double win suggested that securing the constructors’ championship would be a formality. However, Sunday’s race execution nullified Woking’s efforts. Oscar Piastri was unlucky, as the Safety Car benefited almost all the leading drivers except him. As for Lando Norris, once again, we must criticize the Briton. Lando claims he is not stupid and knows the rules. And we believe him, of course. But failing to notice the yellow flag is a grave error that ruined his race.

He then performed a remarkable recovery in just over 10 laps, reaching 10th place and earning the additional point for the fastest lap. However, his oversight cost the British team leading the championship far too much. This situation keeps Ferrari’s dream of catching the title alive. Yet, the Maranello team was not flawless during the Qatari weekend either. In the first qualifying session, they failed to make the tires work, and the Sprint Race went as we know. In the second qualifying session, they sorted out the tire issue, but the result was even worse.

Ferrari did not have great optimism for the 300 kilometer distance. They started behind the two McLaren cars, and the SF-24’s pace was not good enough to beat the MCL38s on the track. Additionally, bad luck struck. We refer to the slow puncture on the front left tire of car number 55. The tire delaminated, forcing Carlos Sainz to drive half a lap very slowly to reach the pits. The Spaniard obviously lost ground and, once back on track, found himself in seventh position. For Charles Leclerc, fortunately, things went much better.

Oscar Piastri made his stop before the Safety Car came out, taking the estimated time required for the tire change and pit-lane transit. Charles Leclerc, on the other hand, pitted under double yellow flag conditions, with a shorter time frame that allowed him to return to the track ahead of the Australian. Shortly after, Lando Norris received a 10-second stop-and-go penalty, and the Ferrari driver moved up to second place behind Max Verstappen. From that point on, the Dutchman pulled away, and Charles Leclerc did a great job defending against Oscar Piastri, who stayed close until the finish line. A second place that’s worth its weight in gold.

At this point, a question about strategy arises: could Ferrari have done more tactically? Was there a chance to aim for victory? Let’s clarify. There was an option Ferrari considered but ultimately discarded. Charles Leclerc, with the Safety Car on track, could have made another stop to switch to medium tires when the group was forced to pass through the pit-lane to allow the marshals to clean the track. In fact, according to the regulations, the number 16 SF-24 car could have stopped at that moment.

Moreover, analyzing the GPS data regarding the drivers’ track positions, Charles Leclerc could have maintained his position over Oscar Piastri. Observing the gap between them, it is clear that the Monegasque had a margin of over 5 seconds once the pit-limiter was activated at 80 kilometers per hour. Considering an average stop time of about 2.5 seconds, the Monegasque driver could have switched to mediums, having already fulfilled the requirement to use a different compound. This would have allowed him to tackle the final 21 laps with a softer, more performance-oriented tire in terms of pace.

Speaking to the media, Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur clarified that Ferrari’s pit wall considered this possibility. However, the remote garage deemed it more appropriate to stay on the hards, a decision shared by the rest of the grid except for Fernando Alonso, who, despite being on mediums, was unable to gain positions on track. This choice had a clear rationale: giving Charles’ car the yellow-marked Pirelli tires for the final stint of the Qatar Grand Prix would have required extra care to activate the tires, necessitating a slow introduction.

Hard compounds have a wider operating window. This means they could be pushed harder right away without fear of shortening their lifespan. With mediums, the risk of doing so was very high, potentially disrupting temperatures and failing to prevent graining from setting in. Based on the data, considering the Sprint Race and the first stint of Sunday’s race, Ferrari had to carry out substantial tire management on several corners of the track during the first ten laps before gradually lowering lap times.

Such a situation would have severely challenged the Ferrari driver, significantly increasing the likelihood of being overtaken by Oscar Piastri and subsequently losing touch with the Australian in the following laps, as well as with Max Verstappen, without then being able to capitalize on the extra grip of the mediums at the end. For this reason, we “absolve” Ferrari and we are also convinced that in this case, the Maranello pit wall made the right decision to continue on the Hard tires. A strategy that might have seemed conservative or defensive but one that was, in reality, the correct move. After all, they secured a podium finish in second place, which was far from guaranteed before the start of the race in Lusail.

— see video above —

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Following a strong performance in the Qatar Grand Prix at the 5.419-kilometre Lusail International Circuit, Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur revealed that the Maranello team’s technicians and engineers had instructed Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz to prioritize tire management in the early stages of the race to maximize the length of their first stint on medium tires..

Ferrari had anticipated a challenging weekend at the Lusail International Circuit, given its characteristics were expected to expose weaknesses in the SF24. Despite setbacks in the 19-lap sprint race, Charles Leclerc capitalized on a late ten-second stop-and-go penalty for Lando Norris, clinching an impressive second-place finish.

Carlos Sainz initially matched Charles Leclerc’s pace but began to fall back once the Monegasque driver increased his speed. His race took a turn for the worse when debris from a rear-view mirror struck by Valtteri Bottas caused a puncture. The incident forced Carlos Sainz into a slow trip back to the pits, costing him crucial time.

Although a second safety car gave Carlos Sainz the chance to close the gap to the leaders, he ultimately finished in sixth place, unable to overtake Pierre Gasly’s Alpine. Reflecting on the weekend, Frederic Vasseur expressed satisfaction with the team’s overall performance but lamented the misfortune that limited Carlos Sainz’s results. The Ferrari team boss noted that without the puncture, the Italian side could have secured an even stronger outcome in the penultimate round of the 2024 Formula 1 campaign.

“The race today was a bit chaotic, but overall, it was a good one for us: we executed it well, the pace was there and I’m very pleased with the job we did today. It was in our plan that the drivers would not push too hard for the first laps in order to push more later on and we were confident we had the pace on the Hard to push until the end.” – the French manager pointed out – “We have some regrets, such as Carlos’ puncture which came at the very worst place, as he had to drive a full lap before pitting and it cost us one or two positions.” – he added at the end of the Qatar Grand Prix.

Despite the McLaren MCL38 cars showcasing superior pace compared to the Ferrari SF24 at the Qatar Grand Prix, the Maranello team succeeded in narrowing the deficit in the Constructors’ Championship to just 21 points ahead of the final round of the 2024 Formula 1 campaign. Ferrari team boss Frederic Vasseur expressed cautious optimism following the event, emphasizing the importance of consistency and strategic execution as the season edges closer to its conclusion: “The most important thing today is that we scored more points than McLaren. We are now 21 points behind, with one race to go which means everything is possible. We have also increased our lead over Red Bull, which means in Abu Dhabi we can focus more on the team in front of us. Now we go to Abu Dhabi, which on paper, should be a better circuit for us and with Max and Mercedes on the pace, you never know what could happen in the championship battle. We will push flat out to the final chequered flag.” – the French manager added.

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Charles Leclerc Oscar Piastri #F1 #QatarGP pic.twitter.com/MoSWoDf1ul

— CL16__FanpageFr (@Cl16__FanpageFr) December 2, 2024

— see video above —

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Looking back on the chaotic Qatar Grand Prix, Carlos Sainz opened up about the challenges that prevented him from overtaking Pierre Gasly’s Alpine in the final laps of the 57-lap race which was held at the 5.419-kilometre Lusail International Circuit last Sunday.

Ferrari had approached the event at the Lusail International Circuit with tempered expectations, aware that the track’s characteristics would likely highlight the limitations of their SF24. While the team stumbled in the sprint race, Charles Leclerc salvaged crucial points in the main event by securing second place, aided by a late ten-second stop-and-go penalty for Lando Norris.

Carlos Sainz initially stayed close to his teammate but began to lose ground once Leclerc ramped up his pace. The Spaniard’s race was further compromised when Valtteri Bottas struck a rear-view mirror on the main straight, causing debris that punctured Carlos Sainz’s tire. This incident forced him into a slow crawl back to the pits, costing him valuable time.

Although a second safety car period allowed Carlos Sainz to close the gap to the frontrunners, he ultimately finished in sixth place, unable to find a way past Pierre Gasly. After the race, Carlos Sainz admitted to feeling disappointed with the outcome, believing that Ferrari had the potential for a stronger result despite the SF-24 car’s known weaknesses at the circuit.

“I’m obviously not happy with the outcome of today’s race. We were in a strong position but unfortunately, I got a puncture and had to complete an entire lap with a flat tyre.” – the Spanish driver explained – “After the pit stop, the Safety Car came out so the whole situation cost us even more time and ultimately some crucial positions. Dragging the car for an entire lap led to some damage and the car felt a bit off, making things difficult for the last stint.”

“That said, I’m pleased I managed to bring the car home and together with Charles’ podium we managed to score important points. We will fight until the last lap of the Abu Dhabi race for the championship, and hopefully finish the season in the best way possible,” the future Williams driver pointed out at the end of the Qatar Grand Prix.

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Scuderia Ferrari Monegasque driver Charles Leclerc, who secured a strong second-place finish at the Qatar Grand Prix in Lusail, has revealed that he had to endure the 57-lap race without access to his drink system due to a technical fault.

The Maranello team entered the weekend with concerns about their performance at the Lusail International Circuit, a track expected to highlight the Maranello team’s weaknesses. While the Scuderia missed out on critical points in the 19-lap sprint race, Charles Leclerc capitalized on an opportunity in the main event. A late penalty—a ten-second stop-and-go—handed to Lando Norris allowed Charles Leclerc to elevate himself into an impressive second position.

Following the race, it was confirmed that a malfunction in the drink bottle system left Charles Leclerc unable to hydrate throughout the grueling event. When asked about the situation, Charles Leclerc admitted to racing without any fluids but noted that the cooler conditions made the experience manageable, sparing him from significant discomfort.

“Yeah, I did not drink, but I honestly, I don’t think it was that much of an issue for this race. Last year it would have been a really, really big issue. I think I wouldn’t have finished the race without my drink, but this year it was actually pretty, pretty chill.” – he explained.

“So yeah, in terms of dehydration, it wasn’t bad, but it was quite physical in the corners just because we had no saving to do today. There was basically no saving. It was just flat out pushing from the first lap to the last lap, which is quite enjoyable as a driver. I don’t think any of us drivers had our heads straight in the fast corners at the end of the race. It was very physical,” – the Ferrari man pointed out at the end of the 2024 Formula 1 Qatar Grand Prix, the penultimate round of the season.

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Scuderia Ferrari’s consistency in the 2024 Formula 1 campaign has positioned the Maranello team as serious contenders for the Constructors’ Championship as the final race of the year approaches. At the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, which will take place next weekend at the 5.281-kilometre Yas Marina Circuit on Yas Island, the Italian side will engage in a high-stakes battle with rivals McLaren, aiming to end their 16-year wait for a major championship title.

In a marked improvement from recent years, Ferrari have sustained a strong development trajectory throughout the season. This bodes well for their prospects in 2025, particularly with the arrival of Lewis Hamilton, whose wealth of championship-winning expertise is expected to elevate their competitiveness further.

Ferrari Show Optimism for 2025 with Successful New Components

Following Carlos Sainz’s initial trial of Ferrari’s new floor at the Las Vegas Grand Prix, Charles Leclerc conducted further tests during the Qatar race weekend. The feedback from both outings has been overwhelmingly positive.

Extensive testing of these components is helping the Maranello team’s technicians and engineers refine the correlation between simulation data and on-track performance, a crucial step in their development process. According to the Italian website AutoRacer.it, the team was “positively surprised” by how effectively the new floor adapted to their current car’s design philosophy.

Charles Leclerc’s role in these tests is especially critical as he remains a cornerstone of Ferrari’s 2025 campaign, while Carlos Sainz prepares to join Williams for a stint. These developments offer Ferrari an invaluable opportunity to better understand the part under real-world conditions, adding depth to the insights gleaned from wind tunnel analysis.

Preparations for Abu Dhabi and Beyond

Ferrari will continue evaluating the new floor during the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix weekend, focusing on optimizing setup configurations as they aim to establish a strong foundation for next year’s campaign. However, before they shift entirely to 2025, their immediate goal remains clear: closing a 21-point deficit to McLaren in the Constructors’ Championship.

The challenge is monumental, requiring both Ferrari drivers to secure podium finishes to have any realistic chance of triumph. Such an outcome would be an emotional farewell for Carlos Sainz and a crowning moment for Charles Leclerc, who has spent six seasons striving to bring championship glory back to Maranello.

Should they fall short of the title, Ferrari can still take solace in the strides they’ve made this year. With Lewis Hamilton set to join the team, their 2025 prospects appear brighter than ever, making them a formidable force for the challenges ahead.

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At this point, it’s difficult to determine whether the punctures were caused by excessive tire wear or debris on the track. Pirelli’s motorsport director, Mario Isola, addressed the issue: “During the race, both Carlos Sainz and Lewis Hamilton experienced punctures on their front left tires. We will thoroughly analyze the remains of those tires, as well as a selection of others, following our standard procedure. Our technicians in Milan will also rely on telemetry data and onboard footage. We will carry out the usual checks regarding the stress placed on the tires.”

Strategy Recap

The most common strategy was the Medium-Hard combination, used by race winner Verstappen, Leclerc, Piastri, Gasly, Sainz, Zhou, Norris, and Hamilton. Russell opted for a Medium-Hard-Hard strategy, having pitted early and later switched to a new C1 set under the Safety Car.

Alonso and Bottas chose Medium-Hard-Medium, avoiding a stint on the C1 tire, with Alonso using it for just one lap. Tsunoda and Lawson went with Medium-Hard-Soft, while Albon adopted Medium-Soft-Soft. Retirements included Nico Hulkenberg, Sergio Perez (reportedly due to a hydraulic issue), Stroll, Colapinto, and Ocon.

Medium Tires Pushed to the Limit

This analysis focuses on understanding why drivers pushed the Medium tires to their limits. While it’s not certain that tire wear caused Carlos Sainz and Lewis Hamilton’s punctures, it appears to have been a contributing factor, so it’s worth exploring why this situation arose.

Pirelli had initially estimated the first pit stop to occur between laps 16 and 24. It was thought possible to extend this slightly, but no one expected stints of over 27-28 laps on the C2. The reason for pushing beyond the predicted limit is straightforward.

An undercut was expected to be highly effective, but for it to work, drivers needed clear track after rejoining. This didn’t happen after Russell’s pit stop, where a slow tire change on the rear right cost him about five extra seconds (total stop time: 7 seconds). He rejoined behind Alonso and, despite being faster, was forced to match Fernando’s pace due to the difficulty of overtaking in Lusail. Seeing this, other drivers avoided pitting early to stay out of traffic, stretching the C2 to its limit.

Mario Isola partially echoed this analysis: “The track is very demanding in terms of energy exerted on the tires and tread wear. This combination of factors can create a situation where wear reaches critical levels, with teams trying to extend the first stint as much as possible to maximize results.”

Max Verstappen and Lando Norris pushed the compound to its limit, but Max had the better pace. Just before the punctures for Sainz and Hamilton, Lando Norris’s Mediums were beginning to degrade, and he would have needed to pit soon anyway.

Fernando Alonso Confirms a One-Stop Race

The aftermath of Carlos Sainz and Lewis Hamilton’s punctures is clear: those who stayed on Hards without switching to a new set of Mediums in the final stages made the right decision. Making an additional stop under such frequent Safety Car periods would have been counterproductive and cost positions. Fernando Alonso, for instance, fell from being ahead of Russell to finishing behind Gasly and Sainz after his double stop.

Fernando and Aston Martin misjudged the Hard tire’s potential. The C1 was the best compound for the final stint. Lando Norris, for example, set his fastest lap on the 56th lap with this compound, completing 21 laps on it with a time of 1:22.384.

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