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Tyres NorthamptonSprint returns for the final time this year, meaning another weekend with two races to watch.
While Sprint returns to Qatar, Pirelli will hope tyre problems don't. The Italian manufacturer and FIA imposed an 18-lap limit on tyres for the 2023 Qatar Grand Prix after the circuit's kerbs caused micro lacerations in the sidewall structure. The maiden 2021 event also saw repeat punctures that impacted the race, creating quite a history for a track which only boasts two F1 trips so far.
Aside from the aforementioned tyre problems, last year's Qatar GP saw many drivers struggling with the high heat and humidity. Logan Sargeant retired from the race with heatstroke, and many others criticised the gruelling conditions that verged on dangerous. This season's race should be a milder affair, taking place over a month later in the year, but the teams will keep a close eye on the Qatari temperatures.
Moving away from Lusail's problems, there's cause for excitement, too. Last season's weekend was a barnstorming event that saw Oscar Piastri take his first F1 victory, albeit not in a 'full' Grand Prix, and overtaking was frequent throughout. Safety Cars also made repeat appearances, but incident-filled racing tends to happen when the pressure of a title fight fades away.
However, the drivers must not forget that their employers are still battling for the World Constructors' Championship trophy. McLaren and Ferrari are the most likely to take it, though the scoreboard looks like this battle will continue to the Abu Dhabi finale. Red Bull has an outside chance, but with Sergio Perez's disastrous season, they look set to fall out of the title race by Sunday night. With tens of millions in prize money at stake, there's plenty still to play for in F1 2024.
After analysing why the tyres struggled to handle the Qatari kerbs in previous races, Pirelli will bring the three hardest compounds in their arsenal. Combined with smoothing the 'pyramid' kerbs at the track, there shouldn't be any lap restrictions for the teams or drivers, who'll have the C1, C2, and C3 compounds to race on.
This Pirelli selection will also help the cars navigate the high lateral loads exerted by their drivers. The circuit's 16 corners only have one heavy braking zone, and the teams must prepare their tyres for the high-medium speed turns that punctuate a 5.3 km lap of Lusail.
George Russell led a Mercedes 1-2 in Las Vegas, with Lewis Hamilton gaining from a disappointing P10 start to finish just seconds behind his teammate. Low temperatures are thought to have aided the Silver Arrows with their Vegas weekend, so there's no guarantee that form will continue in Qatar. Should Mercedes have made advancements in car development as a whole, however, their frontrunning rival will panic after the ease with which Hamilton tore past them last Sunday.
McLaren is the constructor closest to taking the teams' title, but they continue losing ground on Ferrari as the field tightens. Lando Norris and Piastri were toothless in their fight last weekend. The Woking team will hope for better fortunes in Qatar... especially with how they performed at the track last year against an almost unstoppable Verstappen. Ferrari was the closest competitor to Mercedes in Vegas, though, and will hope Charles Leclerc or Carlos Sainz can narrow the points deficit.
Russell's victory in Vegas triggered an impressive statistic of 2024 being the first year in F1 history with seven multiple-race winners in a season. Any of these (Verstappen, Norris, Leclerc, Piastri, Russell, Hamilton, and Sainz) could take another triumph on Sunday and be a worthy winner. It's an amazing time to be an F1 fan when a third of the grid could be the victor of a race.
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Two Middle Eastern night rounds will end the 2024 season, which means it's a return to afternoon viewing for British viewers. Sunday's race comes at 4 PM, with Qualifying at 6 PM on Saturday, four hours after Sprint's start at 2 PM.
Sprint - On air: 1 PM, Session start: 2 PM Saturday 30th November
Qualifying – On air: 5:15 PM, Session start: 6 PM Saturday 30th November
Race – On air: 2:30 PM, Session start: 4 PM Sunday 1st December
Sprint/Qualifying – Highlights: 9:30 PM Saturday 30th November
Race – Highlights: 9 PM Sunday 1st December
Qualifying/Race – From one desert to another, but the November evening temperatures in Qatar look warmer than what F1 had in Nevada, with 20°C temperatures under the night sky for Qualifying and the Grand Prix.