The penultimate grand prix weekend of the 2024 season was additionally the ultimate dash spherical of the championship.
The Qatar weekend was one other the place the stewards and their choices had been a serious speaking level. With a change in pole sitter and a uncommon stop-go penalty handed out that remodeled the race.
As shocking because it appears, among the most skilled and profitable drivers within the subject made essentially the most errors across the Losail Worldwide Circuit. Listed below are RaceFans’ driver rankings for the Qatar Grand Prix.
A information to RaceFans’ driver rankings system
RaceFans’ driver rankings system assesses driver efficiency throughout all three days of a grand prix weekend. Naturally, performances throughout aggressive classes – qualifying, dash races and grands prix – will carry essentially the most weight to their score.
Nonetheless, observe efficiency can have an effect on a driver’s weekend score within the occasion of a serious mistake, similar to a crash, constant errors all through observe classes or if a driver reveals a notably spectacular pace all through all free observe classes relative to their group mate.
The system makes an attempt to have in mind the relative efficiency of every driver’s automobile and the anticipated outcomes from that, that means {that a} driver who wins a race in a automobile clearly superior to the remainder of the sphere might not essentially rating as extremely as a driver who claims a low factors end in a midfield automobile.
Scores additionally try and have in mind mitigating elements outdoors of a driver’s management. If a driver is compelled to overlook appreciable observe time attributable to automobile issues, is the sufferer of being blocked in qualifying, finishes far decrease than anticipated due to a closely botched pit cease or suffers some other misfortune they can’t be fairly anticipated to regulate, their score shouldn’t be penalised.
RaceFans charges every driver’s weekend efficiency on a scale of 0 to 10, the place ‘5’ is taken into account to be a usually common weekend efficiency from a usually common Method 1 driver.
Here’s a tough information to every doable rating:
N/A – Not relevant – No score is given as the driving force didn’t sufficiently take part within the aggressive classes
0 – Disqualified – Solely in essentially the most excessive occasion the place a driver’s conduct disqualifies them from participation
1 – Appalling – An appalling show that brings a driver’s competency below quick query
2 – Terrible – A really, very poor efficiency of repeated errors with nearly no redeeming qualities
3 – Very dangerous – Way more negatives than positives throughout the weekend which a driver needs to be very disillusioned with
4 – Underperformance – Driver failed to realize the bottom stage anticipated for a Method 1 driver
5 – Acceptable – The usual stage of efficiency that needs to be anticipated from an F1 driver
6 – Good – An honest general efficiency throughout the weekend, however not among the finest
7 – Excellent – A powerful efficiency throughout the weekend that any driver needs to be more than happy with
8 – Sensible – A very nice weekend the place the driving force stood out as one of many easiest of the sphere
9 – Distinctive – An impressive efficiency that ranks as among the finest, if not the easiest, of your entire season
10 – Legendary – One of many few all-time biggest performances by a driver within the historical past of Method 1
Max Verstappen – 7/10
Dash race begin: 6thSprint race end: 8thQualified: 1st (+8 locations forward of group mate, -0.905s)Grid: 2nd (+7 locations forward of group mate)Begin: +1 placeStrategy: One-stop (M-H)Completed: Winner
▶ Secured prime six begin for dash race behind Ferraris▼ Fell to ninth on opening lap of dash, then handed Gasly to complete eighth▲ Took provisional pole place after intensive set-up modifications▶ Demoted to second after one-place grid drop for ‘driving unnecessarily slowly▲ Jumped into the lead in the beginning to guide opening stint▶ Held off Norris at second restart after Security Automotive confusion▲ Led each lap to take ninth win of the season
It has been some time since Max Verstappen loved a classically Max Verstappen-style victory in a dry grand prix, however that was precisely what he had on Sunday in Losail. Though he misplaced pole place due to a extremely contentious penalty, he stormed again to take the lead in the beginning and solely appeared in peril of dropping it as soon as within the race, heading off Norris within the course of. Though he managed proceedings on Sunday, his barely underwhelming efficiency within the dash classes prevents him from incomes the next rating.
Sergio Perez – 2/10
Dash race begin: 19thSprint race end: 20thQualified: ninth (-8 locations behind group mate, +0.905s)Begin: +2 placesStrategy: One-stop (M-H)Completed: seventeenth (-16 locations behind group mate)
▼ Knocked out of SQ1 to start out sixteenth▶ Reprimanded for not respecting most lap time in dash qualifying▶ Began dash from pit lane however handed by Colapinto and pitted for brand new entrance wing▼ Reached Q3 however was eight tenths slower than group mate▲ Picked up two locations at begin of grand prix, then ran seventh▼ Spun out of Security Automotive queue at second restart attributable to “overdelivery” from energy unit▶ Suffered clutch failure when making an attempt to rejoin, resulting in retirement
What else is there to say at this stage that has not already been mentioned earlier than?
Lewis Hamilton – 4/10
Dash race begin: 7thSprint race end: 6thQualified: sixth (-4 locations behind group mate, +0.436s)Grid: sixth (5 locations behind group mate)Begin: -3 placesStrategy: 4-stop (M-H)Completed: twelfth (-8 locations behind group mate)
▶ Certified seventh for dash race, 4 tenths slower than group mate▶ Gained two locations in the beginning of dash however overtaken by Leclerc to complete sixth▼ Misplaced a number of locations with a leap begin▼ Hit with 5 second time penalty for false begin▼ Suffered puncture, then hit with 10s penalty for rushing in pit lane▶ Caught and handed each RB drivers to complete twelfth
Hamilton has loved extra success with Mercedes than any driver has had with any group within the historical past of the game. However his penultimate grand prix for the Silver Arrows was one in all his worst. A leap begin and a second penalty for rushing within the pit lane are laborious to excuse for F1’s most profitable driver in historical past. However except for that, Hamilton endured one other weekend the place he was by no means proud of the automobile and was not on his group mate’s stage. Hopefully for him, Abu Dhabi will likely be a extra becoming send-off.
George Russell – 7/10
Dash race begin: 2ndSprint race end: 3rdQualified: 2nd (+4 locations forward of group mate, -0.436s)Grid: Pole (+5 locations forward of group mate)Begin: -2 placesStrategy: Two-stop (M-H-H)Completed: 4th (+8 locations forward of group mate)
▲ Simply missed out on dash race pole by lower than a tenth▶ Misplaced a spot to Piastri in the beginning, then spent dash race third▲ Secured entrance row begin alongside Verstappen for grand prix▶ Inherited pole place after penalty for Verstappen▼ Misplaced lead and second at begin to run third early on▶ Pitted first for laborious tyres however misplaced seven seconds with gradual cease▶ Overtook Alonso, then pitted once more for hards below Security Automotive▶ Restarted fifth then gained fourth when Norris served penalty
Till his unlucky first pit cease through the grand prix, Russell was at all times concerned on the entrance in some capability through the Qatar weekend. He pushed Piastri all through your entire dash race and nearly received the McLaren on a few events. Though his begin might have been higher, there was not a lot he might have accomplished in regards to the poor pit cease that compromised his grand prix. Though he was awarded pole place with the assistance of the stewards, his score solely takes his second place into consideration.
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Charles Leclerc – 6/10
Dash race begin: 5thSprint race end: 5thQualified: fifth (+2 locations forward of group mate, -0.189s)Begin: +1 placeStrategy: One-stop (M-H)Completed: 2nd (+4 locations forward of group mate)
▶ Simply out-qualified by group mate in dash qualifying to line up fifth▶ Misplaced a spot at begin of dash to Hamilton, then reclaimed it to complete fifth▶ Secured fifth on the grid forward of group mate and Hamilton▶ Handed Piastri in the beginning, then misplaced the place on the restart▶ Received forward of Piastri because of pitting below Security Automotive, then restarted third▶ Gained second when Norris served penalty and completed there
Though Leclerc had a really robust end result, it’s laborious to not really feel like he may not have totally earned it on benefit. He solely gained a single place on observe, when he handed Piastri in the beginning, however he misplaced that nearly instantly on the restart. He received forward of the 2 McLarens because of misfortune and malpractice, however didn’t supply a chance for Piastri to take his second place off him on the end.
Carlos Sainz Jnr – 6/10
Dash race begin: 4thSprint race end: 4thQualified: seventh (-2 locations behind group mate, +0.189s)Begin: +1 placeStrategy: One-stop (M-H)Completed: sixth (-4 locations behind group mate)
▶ Beat group mate in dash qualifying to start out fourth▲ Ran fourth all through your entire dash race to complete simply outdoors prime three▶ Certified seventh for grand prix behind Hamilton and group mate▶ Picked up sixth in the beginning from Hamilton, then ran behind group mate▶ Gained fifth when Russell pitted, then hit with left-front puncture▶ Picked up seventh when Perez spun, then sixth with Norris’s penalty▶ Ran inside DRS vary of Gasly for a number of laps however couldn’t cross
Sainz ought to have completed increased than he did in Losail, however possible misplaced a prime 5 end because of a puncture that developed simply earlier than he handed by the particles subject of Albon’s shattered wing mirror for the primary time. He fell behind Gasly in consequence however was unable to get by the Alpine regardless of the benefit of DRS for a number of laps, though his automobile was doubtlessly broken from his lengthy lap into the pit lane on punctured tyres.
Lando Norris – 5/10
Dash race begin: PoleSprint race end: 2ndQualified: third (+1 place forward of group mate, -0.057s)Grid: third (1 place forward of group mate)Begin: +1 placeStrategy: One-stop (M-H)Completed: tenth (-7 locations behind group mate)
▲ Secured pole for dash race with first SQ3 lap▲ Led each nook of the dash race, then let Piastri by way of to win▶ Secured prime three grid place for grand prix▲ Handed Russell at begin to declare second place, then saved tempo with Verstappen▼ Did not raise below double yellow flags, incomes a 10s stop-go penalty▶ Unable to cross Verstappen regardless of difficult at restart▶ Fell to final after serving penalty▲ Handed Lawson, Tsunoda, Albon and Bottas to assert ultimate level in tenth
Norris was one of many higher performers of the Qatar weekend, successfully successful the dash race from pole after which being the one driver robust sufficient to problem Verstappen within the grand prix. Nonetheless, that single second when Norris demonstrated a essential lack of understanding threw away his grand prix. Though the penalty was heavy, there was merely no excuse with marshals clearly waving double yellow flags. On the pinnacle of motorsport, the punishment for such an infraction should be extreme.
Oscar Piastri – 6/10
Dash race begin: 3rdSprint race end: WinnerQualified: 4th (-1 place behind group mate, +0.057s)Begin: -1 placeStrategy: One-stop (M-H)Completed: third (+7 locations forward of group mate)
▶ Overwhelmed by Russell in dash qualifying to line up third▲ Handed Russell at begin of dash, then handed win by group mate▶ Certified fourth for grand prix, proper behind group mate▶ Misplaced one place to Leclerc in the beginning however gained it again after restart▶ Ran behind Russell till he pitted, then pitted himself simply earlier than Security Automotive▶ Misplaced place to Leclerc because of Security Automotive then restarted behind him▶ Ran behind Leclerc in third the place he would end
Piastri appears to benefit from the Losail circuit. Even when he was not the sooner of the 2 McLaren drivers over the weekend this 12 months, he nonetheless carried out stronger than he has in lots of latest rounds. Though he was by no means within the battle for victory on Sunday, he was unfortunate to lose floor because of the Security Automotive however couldn’t observe down Leclerc within the ultimate section of the race. His score displays that whereas he gained the dash race, he was truly second on benefit.
Fernando Alonso – 7/10
Dash race begin: 11thSprint race end: 11thQualified: eighth (+7 locations forward of group mate, -0.703s)Begin: Held positionStrategy: Two-stop (M-H-M)Completed: seventh (+11 locations forward of group mate)
▶ Simply missed out on SQ3 to line up eleventh on dash grid▶ Overtook Lawson at begin of dash race, then misplaced a spot to Magnussen▲ Reached Q3 to take eighth on the grid for grand prix▼ Ran eighth in the beginning however misplaced three locations at SC restart▲ Pitted for laborious tyres below SC, then handed Zhou for eighth▶ Gained seventh from Norris’s penalty to attain first factors since Singapore
On the finish of a irritating season, Alonso and his group had been in determined want of some sort of enhance to assist take them by way of the winter into subsequent season. Though it was solely seventh place, factors have been so laborious to come back by lately that each group and driver fortunately took that end result. Though his race was removed from excellent, Alonso confirmed how invaluable expertise might be in a race the place a number of others are making errors and took benefit of the alternatives introduced to him.
Lance Stroll – 4/10
Dash race begin: 14thSprint race end: 13thQualified: fifteenth (-7 locations behind group mate, +0.703s)Begin: -2 placesStrategy: Two-stop (M-H-H)Completed: Retired (Injury – L8)
▶ Reached SQ2 however knocked out in 14th▶ Handed Albon on opening lap of dash, then ran thirteenth for whole race▶ Knocked out of Q2 after “huge snap” of oversteer on ultimate push lap▼ Hit with 10s penalty for collision with Albon on opening lap▶ Pulled into pit lane to retire on eighth lap with harm
As soon as once more, the Aston Martin didn’t appear like a steady or enjoyable automobile to race at Losail in comparison with lots of its friends. Nonetheless, whereas his group mate nonetheless drove it to a prime ten end, Stroll didn’t look snug at most factors. His race successfully ended at flip 4 when he bumped Albon. Whereas he was clearly making an attempt to keep away from the conflict, he nonetheless might have accomplished a greater job than he did.
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Pierre Gasly – 8/10
Dash race begin: 8thSprint race end: 9thQualified: eleventh (+9 locations forward of group mate, -0.871s)Begin: -1 placeStrategy: One-stop (M-H)Completed: fifth (+15 locations forward of group mate)
▲ Secured prime ten begin for dash race in eighth▶ Ran eighth in dash however fell out of factors when handed by Verstappen▶ Annoyed to simply miss out on Q3 to start out grand prix eleventh▶ Handed by Tsunoda on opening lap, then overtook Alonso after restart▲ Handed Tsunoda then pitted below Security Automotive to restart sixth▶ Picked up fifth when Norris served penalty to complete there
Is there a driver who has been in higher kind during the last two months than Gasly? Different than simply lacking out on Q3, it’s laborious to think about what extra Alpine might have requested of him in Qatar. He solely missed out on some extent within the dash race as a result of he was handed by Verstappen, then made progress up the order in the principle occasion. Sure, he was helped by the Security Automotive timing and issues for rivals in sooner automobiles forward, however as soon as once more, Gasly by no means appeared like dropping his promising place within the later laps of the grand prix.
Esteban Ocon – 5/10
Dash race begin: 17thSprint race end: 14thQualified: twentieth (-9 locations behind group mate, +0.871s)Completed: Retired (Crash – L1)
▼ Knocked out 18th in first section of dash qualifying▲ Picked up three locations in the beginning of dash to complete 14th▼ Eradicated slowest of all in Q1▶ Retired after caught up in first nook conflict
An unceremonious finish to his tenure at Renault’s manufacturing facility Method 1 group. Ocon was once more properly off the tempo of his group mate throughout the weekend, however it’s laborious to inform at this stage whether or not Gasly is getting prioritised attributable to Ocon’s departure. Both manner, there was little Ocon might do in regards to the accident that ended his weekend on lap one – he will likely be keen to indicate extra of the pace he has demonstrated in recent times at his new group subsequent season.
Alexander Albon – 4/10
Dash race begin: 12thSprint race end: 15thQualified: sixteenth (+3 locations forward of group mate, -0.204s)Begin: Held positionStrategy: Two-stop (M-S-S)Completed: fifteenth
▶ Reached SQ2 however knocked out in twelfth▼ Dropped three locations on first lap of dash then ran fifteenth▼ Knocked out of Q1 after mistake in ultimate nook▶ Hit by Stroll on opening lap, then ran fifteenth behind Bottas▶ Pitted below Security Automotive for laborious tyres, then gained a spot with Perez’s spin▼ Handed Magnussen for tenth however handed 10s penalty for inflicting a collision▼ Fell down the order then pitted to serve penalty and completed final
Because the season has progressed, Albon seems to have began to battle extra. A lot was the case in Qatar, the place a stable begin to the weekend on Friday gave method to an underwhelming dash race and qualifying on Saturday. He fought laborious within the grand prix, however somewhat too laborious when it got here to Magnussen which ended any prospects of combating for a slim probability at factors. Because the extra skilled Williams driver, he must be extra constant than he was final weekend.
Franco Colapinto – 5/10
Dash race begin: 20thSprint race end: 18thQualified: nineteenth (-3 locations behind group mate, +0.204s)Completed: Retired (Crash – L1)
▶ Pressured to run old-specification suspension over weekend▶ Knocked slowest in SQ1, then began dash from pit lane▶ Handed Perez out of pit lane then gained place when Zhou pitted▼ Eradicated from Q1, slower than group mate▶ Retired from first nook melee
It’s powerful to evaluate the deserves of Colapinto’s weekend when the chances gave the impression to be in opposition to him. He didn’t have the identical automobile as his group mate attributable to lack of accessible components and that naturally restricted his potential tempo. He wanted a Security Automotive to assist catch the pack within the dash race, however that by no means got here. Then his grand prix lasted a complete of 700m earlier than coming to an abrupt finish.
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Yuki Tsunoda – 5/10
Dash race begin: 16thSprint race end: 17thQualified: 14th (+3 locations forward of group mate, -0.047s)Begin: +4 placesStrategy: Two-stop (M-H-S)Completed: thirteenth (+1 place forward of group mate)
▼ Did not comply with group mate out of SQ1▶ Reprimanded for not respecting most lap time in dash qualifying▶ Reached Q2 however knocked out in 14th▲ Picked up 4 locations at grand prix begin, then handed Alonso at restart▼ Misplaced 5 locations over opening stint▶ Traded locations with Hamilton, then handed by Norris and Hamilton in ultimate laps▶ Completed thirteenth, one place forward of group mate
RB weren’t at their finest in Qatar, but it surely was laborious to not really feel that even so, Tsunoda was not getting the perfect out of his automobile. He received a superb begin within the grand prix however regardless of there solely being one sensible overtaking zone on the observe, he was handed 5 instances over his opening stint. From there, factors had been at all times going to be tough. At the very least he made fewer errors than his group mate.
Liam Lawson – 4/10
Dash race begin: 10thSprint race end: 16thQualified: seventeenth (-3 locations behind group mate, +0.047s)Begin: +3 placesStrategy: Two-stop (M-H-S)Completed: 14th (-1 place behind group mate)
▲ Reached SQ3 to start out dash race from tenth▼ Dropped to sixteenth on opening lap of dash the place he would end▼ Did not comply with group mate into Q2▲ Gained three locations at begin of grand prix▼ Misplaced a number of locations with spin at restart after conflict with Bottas▼ Hit with 10s time penalty for inflicting collision with Bottas▶ Pitted below Security Automotive twice▶ Took ultimate restart final and picked up single place when Albon pitted late
It may be somewhat harsh, however together with his group needing to attain factors within the battle in opposition to Haas and Alpine within the constructors’ championship, Lawson didn’t ship when he wanted to most through the weekend’s two races. He price Bottas together with his mistake at flip one, damaging the Sauber’s ground and ran behind his group mate all race. A sub-par efficiency that earns a sub-par grade.
Valtteri Bottas – 7/10
Dash race begin: 13thSprint race end: 12thQualified: thirteenth (-1 place behind group mate, +0.23s)Begin: Held positionStrategy: Two-stop (M-H-M)Completed: eleventh (-3 locations behind group mate)
▲ Reached SQ2 to start out dash from thirteenth▲ Overtook Lawson on opening lap of dash race, then held twelfth all race▶ Reached Q2 however knocked out one place behind group mate▲ Ran behind group mate at begin, then handed Tsunoda for thirteenth▶ Suffered ground harm when hit by Lawson at restart▶ Pitted for laborious tyres early, then struck unfastened mirror on pit straight▶ Pitted once more below Security Automotive, then handed Hamilton at restart▶ Gained eleventh when Hamilton pitted, then misplaced place to Norris▶ Completed simply outdoors factors in eleventh, 25s behind group mate
Though his group mate took all of the plaudits with a superb factors end, Bottas additionally had one in all his finest weekends of the season in Qatar. He had a stronger dash aspect to the weekend than his group mate, then complimented Zhou’s efficiency in qualifying by lining up alongside him on the grid. He in all probability would have scored his first factors of the season too, if it weren’t for the harm he sustained when hit by Lawson early on within the grand prix.
Zhou Guanyu – 7/10
Dash race begin: 18thSprint race end: 19thQualified: twelfth (+1 place forward of group mate, -0.23s)Begin: -3 placesStrategy: One-stop (M-H)Completed: eighth (+3 locations forward of group mate)
▶ Knocked out of dash qualifying at first hurdle to start out 18th▶ Began dash on softs however pitted for mediums, ending nineteenth▲ Reached Q2 then out-qualified group mate in twelfth▲ Ran behind Alonso early, then handed Tsunoda for twelfth▶ Pitted below Security Automotive for laborious tyres, then handed by Alonso at restart▲ Stored out of attain of Albon, then Magnussen to attain first factors in eighth
Simply because it appeared all hope had been misplaced, Zhou delivered his group’s first factors of the season in Qatar. After being so comprehensively overwhelmed by his group mate for a lot of the 12 months, Zhou was in wonderful kind in Losail, by no means buckling below the stress of the second and displaying robust tempo to attain by far his finest results of the season.
Nico Hulkenberg – 5/10
Dash race begin: 9thSprint race end: 7thQualified: 18th (-8 locations behind group mate, +0.551s)Begin: Held positionStrategy: One-stop (H-M)Completed: sixteenth (-7 locations behind group mate)
▲ Reached SQ3 to safe ninth on dash race grid▲ Gained two locations to attain factors in seventh in dash race▶ Knocked out in Q1 after group left him in gradual engine mode▼ Began on hards and spun on the first nook, falling to the rear▶ Handed Stroll at restart, then ran behind Albon▼ Spun out of the race at flip 9 at second restart
Hulkenberg’s had two totally different sides to his weekend. Every little thing on the dash aspect of the weekend was very robust and it was not his fault he began to this point down the grid for the grand prix. Nonetheless, he had no excuses for his horrible grand prix with a number of spins a rarity for such an skilled driver.
Kevin Magnussen – 7/10
Dash race begin: 15thSprint race end: 10thQualified: tenth (+8 locations forward of group mate, -0.551s)Begin: -1 placeStrategy: One-stop (M-H)Completed: ninth (+7 locations forward of group mate)
▶ Couldn’t comply with group mate by way of into SQ3, knocked out fifteenth▲ Gained 4 locations at begin of dash, then handed Alonso to take tenth▲ Reached Q3 to line up tenth on grand prix grid▶ Dropped behind Tsunoda in the beginning▲ Handed Alonso and Tsunoda to run in ninth▶ Pitted early for laborious tyres, dropping out to rivals attributable to Security Automotive▲ Battled with Albon and handed him for ninth the place he would end
Haas group principal Ayao Komatsu mentioned Magnussen was “nonetheless struggling at this observe” after his underwhelming Friday. However no matter occurred on Friday night time, he was among the finest performers on the circuit over the subsequent two days. He might have completed even increased if the timing of the Security Automotive not set him again. An incredible dash race, robust grand prix qualifying and excellent grand prix confirmed that though his F1 profession appears to be ending, he nonetheless is aware of how you can drive.
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2024 Qatar Grand Prix
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