Statistics for the Formula One Qatar Grand Prix, the second-to-last event in the 24-race calendar, which includes the final sprint race on Saturday for 2024: The circuit’s lap measures 5.419 km, with a total race length of 308.611 km over 57 laps. In the 2023 sprint, Oscar Piastri from Australia, representing McLaren, secured victory. Max Verstappen from the Netherlands, driving for Red Bull, achieved pole position with a time of one minute 23.778 seconds and also won the race. The fastest lap on the 2023 track layout was clocked by Verstappen at 1:24.319.
QATAR
Since 2004, the circuit in Qatar has been hosting MotoGP, transitioning into a night race in 2008. Qatar secured a decade-long agreement to host Formula One starting from 2023, following its initial event in 2021, which was clinched by Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton. There was no race held in 2022 due to the nation organising the soccer World Cup. Verstappen claimed his third championship title in Qatar last year during the Saturday sprint. The Lusail track was resurfaced last year and features a swift and fluid design with 16 medium to high-speed turns and lacks heavy braking zones. Its main straight stretches over a kilometre and serves as the only DRS zone.
CHAMPIONSHIP
Verstappen captured his fourth consecutive title in Las Vegas last Saturday. He joins the ranks of six drivers who have achieved four championships and is only the second, after Sebastian Vettel, to win his initial four consecutively. Two of Verstappen’s titles have been secured on a Saturday instead of the typical Sunday. McLaren’s Lando Norris is leading Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc by 21 points in the contest for the overall runner-up position, with a maximum of 60 points still up for grabs.
McLaren are currently leading Ferrari by 24 points in the constructors’ championship, with a total of 103 points still available. McLaren could secure their first constructors’ title since 1998 if they manage to outscore Ferrari by 21 points, effectively ending Red Bull’s slim title hopes. Should they fail to do so, the battle will continue until the final race in Abu Dhabi.
WINS
Seven-time world champion Hamilton boasts a record 105 victories from 354 starts, while Verstappen has secured 62 wins from 207 races. This season has seen race wins from Red Bull, Ferrari, McLaren, and Mercedes, with seven different drivers each achieving at least two wins. Verstappen has claimed victory eight times this season. McLaren and Ferrari have both won five races, and Mercedes four.
Verstappen triumphed in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Japan, China, Imola, Canada, Spain, and Brazil. Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz emerged victorious in Australia and Mexico. Norris took wins in Miami, the Netherlands, and Singapore. Leclerc celebrated successes in Monaco, Italy, and Texas. George Russell won in Austria and Las Vegas. Hamilton claimed victories in Britain and Belgium, while McLaren’s Oscar Piastri won in Hungary and Azerbaijan.
Ferrari lead the all-time list with 248 F1 wins, followed by McLaren with 188, Mercedes with 129, and Red Bull with 121.
POLE POSITION
This year, Verstappen has secured pole position eight times, including an impressive streak of the first seven consecutive races. Norris follows closely with seven poles. No other driver is near, with Leclerc and George Russell each having three, while Carlos Sainz has one. Hamilton holds a record with 104 poles.
PODIUMS
Verstappen has achieved 111 podium finishes in his career, while Hamilton boasts a record of 202. This season, Verstappen has stood on the podium 13 times, Norris 12, Leclerc 11, Sainz eight, and Piastri seven.
POINTS
Red Bull have consistently scored points for 65 consecutive races, marking the second-longest streak in Formula 1 history. Ferrari holds the record with 83 races (2010-14), during a period when points were awarded to the top 10 finishers. Red Bull’s Sergio Perez has managed just nine points over the last six race weekends.
ONE-TWO FINISHES
This year marks the first time in Formula One championship history that four distinct teams—Red Bull, Ferrari, McLaren, and Mercedes—have each secured a one-two finish. Additionally, four constructors have claimed victory in at least four races each, with seven drivers winning multiple Grands Prix—both unprecedented achievements.
ACHIEVEMENT
Hamilton’s runner-up finish in Las Vegas marked his achievement of securing top-three finishes at 36 unique circuits, further enhancing his personal record. Mercedes celebrated their 60th one-two finish in Formula 1 at the Las Vegas event. Perez is embarking on his 280th race start.
