2021 Qatar Grand Prix - Losail, Nov 19-21 Sportsbook Motor Sport

[Tom]

Friday	Practice 1	13:30-14:30
Friday	Practice 2	17:00-18:00
Saturday	Practice 3	14:00-15:00
Saturday	Qualifying	17:00-18:00
Sunday	Race	14:00-16:00

This thread is for the general discussion of the event 2021 Qatar Grand Prix - Losail, Nov 19-21. Please add to the discussion here.

 

[Tom]

Rounding off the tri-continental triple header is Qatar for its inaugural Grand Prix!

What to keep an eye on? Well, most positions are settled now bar the championship winner and 1 & 2 in the constructors and P5 in the constructors between Alpine and Alpha Tauri.

Verstappen currently holds a 14 point lead over Hamilton, he ultimately needs a P1 and two P2s in the remaining three races to seal a first championship.

There will be a hearing sometime tomorrow between Red Bull and Mercedes regarding Mercedes decision to appeal Verstappen not getting a time penalty for pushing Hamilton off track in Brazil, don't be surprised to see something similar play out again here.

 

[Franco Pinion]

Always good to see a new circuit on the calendar.

Just the one DRS zone so let's hope Max can break away in the middle sector.

 

[Fraser]

Super fast corners and medium speed as well. The track might have low grip at the start and then ramp up over the weekend.

It will also be a hot one, even though it is a night race. Ambient temp at night can be 30+, so engines won't be loving the hot air. Pirelli also has the hardest compound in their range here, but the never-ending middle part of the track will probably still chew them up.

 

[Son Of Jack]

Spoiler: Practice 1 Time Sheet

Driver	Team	Time
1) Max Verstappen	Red Bull	1:23.723
2) Pierre Gasly	AlphaTauri	+0.437
3) Valtteri Bottas	Mercedes	+0.471
4) Lewis Hamilton	Mercedes	+0.786
5) Yuki Tsunoda	AlphaTauri	+0.925
6) Carlos Sainz	Ferrari	+0.990
7) Charles Leclerc	Ferrari	+1.067
8) Sergio Perez	Red Bull	+1.192
9) Esteban Ocon	Alpine	+1.249
10) Lando Norris	McLaren	+1.492
11) Daniel Ricciardo	McLaren	+1.568
12) Sebastian Vettel	Aston Martin	+1.605
13) Nicholas Latifi	Williams	+1.965
14) Antonio Giovinazzi	Alfa Romeo	+2.034
15) Kimi Raikkonen	Alfa Romeo	+2.105
16) George Russell	Williams	+2.148
17) Fernando Alonso	Alpine	+2.182
18) Mick Schumacher	Haas	+2.976
19) Lance Stroll	Aston Martin	+2.989
20) Nikita Mazepin	Haas	+3.777

Spoiler: Practice 2 Time Sheet

Driver	Team	Time
1) Valtteri Bottas	Mercedes	1:23.148
2) Pierre Gasly	AlphaTauri	+0.209
3) Max Verstappen	Red Bull	+0.350
4) Lewis Hamilton	Mercedes	+0.422
5) Lando Norris	McLaren	+0.484
6) Lance Stroll	Aston Martin	+0.557
7) Yuki Tsunoda	AlphaTauri	+0.587
8) Sergio Perez	Red Bull	+0.639
9) Sebastian Vettel	Aston Martin	+0.872
10) Carlos Sainz	Ferrari	+0.885
11) Esteban Ocon	Alpine	+0.893
12) Fernando Alonso	Alpine	+0.908
13) Charles Leclerc	Ferrari	+0.947
14) Daniel Ricciardo	McLaren	+0.987
15) Kimi Raikkonen	Alfa Romeo	+1.483
16) George Russell	Williams	+1.806
17) Antonio Giovinazzi	Alfa Romeo	+1.924
18) Nicholas Latifi	Williams	+2.061
19) Mick Schumacher	Haas	+2.427
20) Nikita Mazepin	Haas	No time set

Where has this performance from Gasly come from lately?

Either the car has stepped up massively or he's riding some mega form. He's looked mega in the last 3/4 races.

 

[Random Guy]

Where has this performance from Gasly come from lately?

He is and has always been an incredibly talented driver. That's why he got his promotion into the RB seat when he did.

However unfortunately he didn't appear to be able to handle the higher pressure that comes with being in a top team. Perhaps he didn't receive a long enough chance. Perhaps that environment is genuinely not meant for him. But regardless when he is relaxed he's really very good.

 

[Zidane]

The track looks very fast but difficult to overtake except on the start finish straight. The tyres aren't going to last so maybe it'll be won or lost on strategy. Could be a dull affair but hopefully not.

 

[Crabtree]

Hamilton storms to pole by almost 0.5 sec. Verstappen starts along side him on the front row with Bottas 3rd. Sergio Perez is down in 11th so it is advantage Mercedes in the Constructors Championship and also the race strategy tomorrow.

Don't think the racing will be good here and expect a bit of a procession but open to correction tomorrow.

Any idea what the story is with Leclerc and his car? I know this high speed track doesn't suit Ferrari but P13 is a shocker of a result in qualifying.

 

[Dylan]

Mercedes looking ominous alright. Verstappen has it all to do with Perez nowhere to be seen. Think if he can get out of here with P2 Red Bull will be happy enough.

 

[Legion]

Fully expect Hamilton to coast to victory here and then on to another World Championship.