Formula Journal

The stakes were high coming into Qatar there was an opportunity for Lando to secure the win and be guaranteed the championship title.

Lap 1 Max passed Lando for 2nd at turn 1. Russell dropped positions after a rough start but Antonelli moved up into P4. A few laps later Hulkenberg went off the track after contact with Gasly who then had a puncture, as a result of this a safety car was deployed. Verstappen and the rest of the grid came into the pits, for fresh tyres, however neither of the McLarens took this advantage. Ocon was given a 5 sec penalty for a false start. Lap 10 the safety car ended and Piastri controlled the restart with Verstappen keeping very close to the McLarens. Lando was caught totally off guard by Oscar’s fast restart.

Each driver was limited to 25 laps for their tyres, with McLaren not pitting during the safety car this meant they had more ‘flexibility’ however everyone who did pit, would have to pit around lap 32. This meant between lap 25 and 32 McLaren should have fresher tyres (possibly softs) for a fast middle stint. All McLaren just needed to do was create a large enough gap from Verstappen, which is easier said than done.

Lap 20 a massive DRS train occurred from Alonso in P6 to his teammate Stroll in P16! A situation McLaren really needed to avoid after pitting. Lap 24 Piastri came into the pit trading his medium tyres for another set of mediums, and came out in P5 clear of Alonso. Next Lando came in for a clean stop and medium tyres, he came out just about clear of Alonso in P5.

Stroll received a 5 sec penalty for speeding in the pit lane. Lap 30 Piastri moved up to P3 after overtaking Antonelli. Lap 33 the drivers who pitted during the safety car came in for a change of tyres, leaving the McLarens out infront to create a gap. Lap 37 Lando reported he may have damage due to him going off into the gravel. Luckily there was no major damage. Bearman was given a 10 sec penalty for unsafe release.

Lap 42 Piastri came into the pits for his second stop, 1.8 seconds!! Bearman came into the pits to serve his penalty and retired from the race. 2 laps later Norris came in for his last stop of the race and returned to the track behind Antonelli and Sainz, in P5. Sainz in P4 radioed in thinking he may have lost a piece of the car as he had understeer on righthand corners. Meanwhile Antonelli and Norris battled it out for P4. Lap 56 Hadjar had a puncture and Antonelli went wide leaving Lando to take advantage of the gap to progress to P4. Sainz achieved P3!!

The championship fight continues, see you in Abu Dhabi!

Top 10: Verstappen, Piastri, Sainz, Norris, Antonelli, Russell, Alosno, Leclerc, Lawson, Tsunoda