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 have been a significant speaking level. With a change in pole sitter and a uncommon stop-go penalty handed out that reworked the race.
As stunning because it appears, a number of the most skilled and profitable drivers within the subject made essentially the most errors across the Losail Worldwide Circuit. Listed here are RaceFans’ driver scores for the Qatar Grand Prix.
A information to RaceFans’ driver scores system
RaceFans’ driver scores system assesses driver efficiency throughout all three days of a grand prix weekend. Naturally, performances throughout aggressive periods – qualifying, dash races and grands prix – will carry essentially the most weight to their score.
Nevertheless, apply efficiency can have an effect on a driver’s weekend score within the occasion of a significant mistake, equivalent to a crash, constant errors all through apply periods or if a driver exhibits a notably spectacular pace all through all free apply periods relative to their crew 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 sector might not essentially rating as extremely as a driver who claims a low factors end in a midfield automobile.
Rankings additionally try to have in mind mitigating components outdoors of a driver’s management. If a driver is compelled to overlook appreciable observe time as a consequence of automobile issues, is the sufferer of being blocked in qualifying, finishes far decrease than anticipated due to a closely botched pit cease or suffers every other misfortune they can’t be moderately 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 potential rating:
N/A – Not relevant – No score is given as the driving force didn’t sufficiently take part within the aggressive periods
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 underneath rapid query
2 – Terrible – A really, very poor efficiency of repeated errors with virtually 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 attain 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 total efficiency throughout the weekend, however not the most effective
7 – Superb – A powerful efficiency throughout the weekend that any driver needs to be more than happy with
8 – Good – A very nice weekend the place the driving force stood out as one of many absolute best of the sector
9 – Distinctive – An excellent efficiency that ranks as the most effective, if not the perfect, of all the 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: sixth
Dash race end: eighth
Certified: 1st (+8 locations forward of crew mate, -0.905s)
Grid: 2nd (+7 locations forward of crew mate)
Begin: +1 place
Technique: One-stop (M-H)
Completed: Winner
▶ Secured high 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 at the beginning to guide opening stint
▶ Held off Norris at second restart after Security Automobile 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 at the beginning and solely seemed in peril of shedding 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 periods prevents him from incomes a better rating.
Sergio Perez – 2/10
Dash race begin: nineteenth
Dash race end: twentieth
Certified: ninth (-8 locations behind crew mate, +0.905s)
Begin: +2 locations
Technique: One-stop (M-H)
Completed: seventeenth (-16 locations behind crew mate)
▼ Knocked out of SQ1 to begin sixteenth
▶ Reprimanded for not respecting most lap time in dash qualifying
▶ Began dash from pit lane however handed by Colapinto and pitted for brand spanking new entrance wing
▼ Reached Q3 however was eight tenths slower than crew mate
▲ Picked up two locations at begin of grand prix, then ran seventh
▼ Spun out of Security Automobile queue at second restart as a consequence of “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: seventh
Dash race end: sixth
Certified: sixth (-4 locations behind crew mate, +0.436s)
Grid: sixth (5 locations behind crew mate)
Begin: -3 locations
Technique: 4-stop (M-H)
Completed: twelfth (-8 locations behind crew mate)
▶ Certified seventh for dash race, 4 tenths slower than crew mate
▶ Gained two locations at the beginning of dash however overtaken by Leclerc to complete sixth
▼ Misplaced a number of locations with a soar 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 crew within the historical past of the game. However his penultimate grand prix for the Silver Arrows was one among his worst. A soar begin and a second penalty for rushing within the pit lane are exhausting to excuse for F1’s most profitable driver in historical past. However other than that, Hamilton endured one other weekend the place he was by no means proud of the automobile and was not on his crew mate’s stage. Hopefully for him, Abu Dhabi can be a extra becoming send-off.
George Russell – 7/10
Dash race begin: 2nd
Dash race end: third
Certified: 2nd (+4 locations forward of crew mate, -0.436s)
Grid: Pole (+5 locations forward of crew mate)
Begin: -2 locations
Technique: Two-stop (M-H-H)
Completed: 4th (+8 locations forward of crew mate)
▲ Simply missed out on dash race pole by lower than a tenth
▶ Misplaced a spot to Piastri at 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 exhausting tyres however misplaced seven seconds with sluggish cease
▶ Overtook Alonso, then pitted once more for hards underneath Security Automobile
▶ Restarted fifth then gained fourth when Norris served penalty
Till his unlucky first pit cease throughout the grand prix, Russell was all the time concerned on the entrance in some capability throughout the Qatar weekend. He pushed Piastri all through all the dash race and virtually received the McLaren on a few events. Though his begin may have been higher, there was not a lot he may have performed 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: fifth
Dash race end: fifth
Certified: fifth (+2 locations forward of crew mate, -0.189s)
Begin: +1 place
Technique: One-stop (M-H)
Completed: 2nd (+4 locations forward of crew mate)
▶ Simply out-qualified by crew 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 crew mate and Hamilton
▶ Handed Piastri at the beginning, then misplaced the place on the restart
▶ Received forward of Piastri due to pitting underneath Security Automobile, then restarted third
▶ Gained second when Norris served penalty and completed there
Though Leclerc had a really sturdy consequence, it’s exhausting 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 at the beginning, however he misplaced that nearly instantly on the restart. He received forward of the 2 McLarens due to 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: 4th
Dash race end: 4th
Certified: seventh (-2 locations behind crew mate, +0.189s)
Begin: +1 place
Technique: One-stop (M-H)
Completed: sixth (-4 locations behind crew mate)
▶ Beat crew mate in dash qualifying to begin fourth
▲ Ran fourth all through all the dash race to complete simply outdoors high three
▶ Certified seventh for grand prix behind Hamilton and crew mate
▶ Picked up sixth at the beginning from Hamilton, then ran behind crew 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 move
Sainz ought to have completed larger than he did in Losail, however possible misplaced a high 5 end due to 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: Pole
Dash race end: 2nd
Certified: third (+1 place forward of crew mate, -0.057s)
Grid: third (1 place forward of crew mate)
Begin: +1 place
Technique: One-stop (M-H)
Completed: tenth (-7 locations behind crew 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 high three grid place for grand prix
▲ Handed Russell at begin to declare second place, then saved tempo with Verstappen
▼ Didn’t elevate underneath double yellow flags, incomes a 10s stop-go penalty
▶ Unable to move 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 profitable the dash race from pole after which being the one driver sturdy sufficient to problem Verstappen within the grand prix. Nevertheless, that single second when Norris demonstrated a important lack of know-how 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 have to be extreme.
Oscar Piastri – 6/10
Dash race begin: third
Dash race end: Winner
Certified: 4th (-1 place behind crew mate, +0.057s)
Begin: -1 place
Technique: One-stop (M-H)
Completed: third (+7 locations forward of crew mate)
▶ Crushed by Russell in dash qualifying to line up third
▲ Handed Russell at begin of dash, then handed win by crew mate
▶ Certified fourth for grand prix, proper behind crew mate
▶ Misplaced one place to Leclerc at the beginning however gained it again after restart
▶ Ran behind Russell till he pitted, then pitted himself simply earlier than Security Automobile
▶ Misplaced place to Leclerc due to Security Automobile 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 as a result of Security Automobile however couldn’t observe down Leclerc within the ultimate part 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: eleventh
Dash race end: eleventh
Certified: eighth (+7 locations forward of crew mate, -0.703s)
Begin: Held place
Technique: Two-stop (M-H-M)
Completed: seventh (+11 locations forward of crew 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 at the beginning however misplaced three locations at SC restart
▲ Pitted for exhausting tyres underneath 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 crew have been in determined want of some form of increase to assist take them by way of the winter into subsequent season. Though it was solely seventh place, factors have been so exhausting to come back by not too long ago that each crew and driver fortunately took that consequence. Though his race was removed from excellent, Alonso confirmed how worthwhile 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: 14th
Dash race end: thirteenth
Certified: fifteenth (-7 locations behind crew mate, +0.703s)
Begin: -2 locations
Technique: 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 complete 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 to be a secure or enjoyable automobile to race at Losail in comparison with lots of its friends. Nevertheless, whereas his crew mate nonetheless drove it to a high ten end, Stroll didn’t look comfy 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 may have performed a greater job than he did.
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Pierre Gasly – 8/10
Dash race begin: eighth
Dash race end: ninth
Certified: eleventh (+9 locations forward of crew mate, -0.871s)
Begin: -1 place
Technique: One-stop (M-H)
Completed: fifth (+15 locations forward of crew mate)
▲ Secured high ten begin for dash race in eighth
▶ Ran eighth in dash however fell out of factors when handed by Verstappen
▶ Pissed off to simply miss out on Q3 to begin grand prix eleventh
▶ Handed by Tsunoda on opening lap, then overtook Alonso after restart
▲ Handed Tsunoda then pitted underneath Security Automobile to restart sixth
▶ Picked up fifth when Norris served penalty to complete there
Is there a driver who has been in higher type over the past two months than Gasly? Different than simply lacking out on Q3, it’s exhausting to think about what extra Alpine may 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 Automobile timing and issues for rivals in sooner automobiles forward, however as soon as once more, Gasly by no means seemed like shedding his promising place within the later laps of the grand prix.
Esteban Ocon – 5/10
Dash race begin: seventeenth
Dash race end: 14th
Certified: twentieth (-9 locations behind crew mate, +0.871s)
Completed: Retired (Crash – L1)
▼ Knocked out 18th in first part of dash qualifying
▲ Picked up three locations at 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 unit Method 1 crew. Ocon was once more effectively off the tempo of his crew mate throughout the weekend, however it’s exhausting to inform at this stage whether or not Gasly is getting prioritised as a consequence of Ocon’s departure. Both approach, there was little Ocon may do in regards to the accident that ended his weekend on lap one – he can be keen to indicate extra of the pace he has demonstrated in recent times at his new crew subsequent season.
Alexander Albon – 4/10
Dash race begin: twelfth
Dash race end: fifteenth
Certified: sixteenth (+3 locations forward of crew mate, -0.204s)
Begin: Held place
Technique: 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 underneath Security Automobile for exhausting 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 wrestle extra. A lot was the case in Qatar, the place a stable begin to the weekend on Friday gave option to an underwhelming dash race and qualifying on Saturday. He fought exhausting within the grand prix, however a little bit too exhausting 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: twentieth
Dash race end: 18th
Certified: nineteenth (-3 locations behind crew 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 crew mate
▶ Retired from first nook melee
It’s robust to evaluate the deserves of Colapinto’s weekend when the percentages gave the impression to be in opposition to him. He didn’t have the identical automobile as his crew mate as a consequence of lack of accessible components and that naturally restricted his potential tempo. He wanted a Security Automobile 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: sixteenth
Dash race end: seventeenth
Certified: 14th (+3 locations forward of crew mate, -0.047s)
Begin: +4 locations
Technique: Two-stop (M-H-S)
Completed: thirteenth (+1 place forward of crew mate)
▼ Didn’t observe crew 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 crew mate
RB weren’t at their greatest in Qatar, but it surely was exhausting 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 have been all the time going to be troublesome. At the very least he made fewer errors than his crew mate.
Liam Lawson – 4/10
Dash race begin: tenth
Dash race end: sixteenth
Certified: seventeenth (-3 locations behind crew mate, +0.047s)
Begin: +3 locations
Technique: Two-stop (M-H-S)
Completed: 14th (-1 place behind crew mate)
▲ Reached SQ3 to begin dash race from tenth
▼ Dropped to sixteenth on opening lap of dash the place he would end
▼ Didn’t observe crew 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 underneath Security Automobile twice
▶ Took ultimate restart final and picked up single place when Albon pitted late
It could be a little bit harsh, however along with his crew 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 throughout the weekend’s two races. He value Bottas along with his mistake at flip one, damaging the Sauber’s ground and ran behind his crew mate all race. A sub-par efficiency that earns a sub-par grade.
Valtteri Bottas – 7/10
Dash race begin: thirteenth
Dash race end: twelfth
Certified: thirteenth (-1 place behind crew mate, +0.23s)
Begin: Held place
Technique: Two-stop (M-H-M)
Completed: eleventh (-3 locations behind crew mate)
▲ Reached SQ2 to begin dash from thirteenth
▲ Overtook Lawson on opening lap of dash race, then held twelfth all race
▶ Reached Q2 however knocked out one place behind crew mate
▲ Ran behind crew mate at begin, then handed Tsunoda for thirteenth
▶ Suffered ground harm when hit by Lawson at restart
▶ Pitted for exhausting tyres early, then struck unfastened mirror on pit straight
▶ Pitted once more underneath Security Automobile, then handed Hamilton at restart
▶ Gained eleventh when Hamilton pitted, then misplaced place to Norris
▶ Completed simply outdoors factors in eleventh, 25s behind crew mate
Though his crew mate took all of the plaudits with a superb factors end, Bottas additionally had one among his greatest weekends of the season in Qatar. He had a stronger dash facet to the weekend than his crew 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: 18th
Dash race end: nineteenth
Certified: twelfth (+1 place forward of crew mate, -0.23s)
Begin: -3 locations
Technique: One-stop (M-H)
Completed: eighth (+3 locations forward of crew mate)
▶ Knocked out of dash qualifying at first hurdle to begin 18th
▶ Began dash on softs however pitted for mediums, ending nineteenth
▲ Reached Q2 then out-qualified crew mate in twelfth
▲ Ran behind Alonso early, then handed Tsunoda for twelfth
▶ Pitted underneath Security Automobile for exhausting tyres, then handed by Alonso at restart
▲ Saved 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 crew’s first factors of the season in Qatar. After being so comprehensively overwhelmed by his crew mate for a lot of the 12 months, Zhou was in glorious type in Losail, by no means buckling underneath the strain of the second and displaying sturdy tempo to attain by far his greatest results of the season.
Nico Hulkenberg – 5/10
Dash race begin: ninth
Dash race end: seventh
Certified: 18th (-8 locations behind crew mate, +0.551s)
Begin: Held place
Technique: One-stop (H-M)
Completed: sixteenth (-7 locations behind crew 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 crew left him in sluggish 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 completely different sides to his weekend. The whole lot on the dash facet of the weekend was very sturdy and it was not his fault he began to date down the grid for the grand prix. Nevertheless, 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: fifteenth
Dash race end: tenth
Certified: tenth (+8 locations forward of crew mate, -0.551s)
Begin: -1 place
Technique: One-stop (M-H)
Completed: ninth (+7 locations forward of crew mate)
▶ Couldn’t observe crew 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 at the beginning
▲ Handed Alonso and Tsunoda to run in ninth
▶ Pitted early for exhausting tyres, shedding out to rivals as a consequence of Security Automobile
▲ Battled with Albon and handed him for ninth the place he would end
Haas crew 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 the most effective performers on the circuit over the following two days. He may have completed even larger if the timing of the Security Automobile not set him again. An amazing dash race, sturdy 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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