Verstappen clinches victory in Qatar amidst high drama
Monday, 2 December 2024
The stage for a showdown that had fans on the edge of their seats.
In a race that could only be described as a rollercoaster, the Qatar Grand Prix saw Max Verstappen recover from an initial setback to take a thrilling victory. The drama unfolded right from the start, with three Safety Car appearances and a host of penalties shaking up the order.
The Lusail International Circuit was the stage for a showdown that had fans on the edge of their seats. Despite losing pole position due to a penalty incurred in qualifying, Verstappen was in combative spirits, overtaking George Russell and Lando Norris in a bold move at Turn 1. However, the race was far from straightforward, with multiple incidents causing chaos behind him.
Advertisement
The first lap incident involved Nico Hulkenberg, who collided with Esteban Ocon and rookie Franco Colapinto, leading to both their retirements and the first appearance of the Safety Car. The subsequent restarts saw Norris challenge Verstappen for the lead, but the reigning world champion managed to fend off the young Brit, who later suffered a 10-second stop/go penalty for not slowing under yellow flags, drastically affecting his race outcome.
Charles Leclerc finished a strong second for Ferrari, crossing the line six seconds behind Verstappen, while Oscar Piastri showcased his growing prowess by securing a podium finish. Russell, despite initial challenges, managed to secure fourth place, ahead of Pierre Gasly who put in a solid performance to finish fifth.
Friday Grandstand tickets start at $125 for the FORMULA 1 AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX 2025!
Carlos Sainz had a day of recovery after an early puncture saw him dropping back, but he fought his way to sixth. Fernando Alonso added more points to his tally by finishing seventh, while Zhou Guanyu was a crowd favourite, finishing eighth and scoring points for Kick Sauber, much to the team's relief after a challenging season.
Kevin Magnussen and Norris rounded out the top ten, with Norris making a significant recovery drive after his penalty. The race was tough on Lewis Hamilton, who finished outside the points after receiving two penalties during the race.
Verstappen's victory adds another highlight to his already stellar season, and with the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix up next, the stage is set for a spectacular finale.
Top 10 Finishers:
- Max Verstappen [Red Bull Racing]
- Charles Leclerc [Ferrari]
- Oscar Piastri [McLaren]
- George Russell [Mercedes]
- Pierre Gasly [Alpine]
- Carlos Sainz [Ferrari]
- Fernando Alonso [Aston Martin]
- Zhou Guanyu [Sauber]
- Kevin Magnussen [Haas]
- Lando Norris [McLaren]
