The Lusail International Circuit in Qatar hosts this week’s round of F1 action at Qatar Airways Qatar Grand Prix 2023, and it is set to be a busy weekend with the return of the Sprint. That means qualifying moves to Friday and there is less practice time for the drivers to get to grips with this circuit, all of which could mean some unpredictability comes into play. But do the odds agree?
Who will win?
Max Verstappen can wrap up the drivers’ title this weekend, and he can do so without winning either the Sprint or the Grand Prix. But if he does win his third straight crown, he’ll want to do so in style with victory in Sunday’s Grand Prix.
With 13 wins from 16 races so far this season, it is no surprise that the bookmakers have the Dutchman as clear favourite. Lando Norris though, is second-favourite along with Sergio Perez, which shows just how far McLaren have come since their patchy early season form.
Max Verstappen; Lando Norris; Sergio Perez; Oscar Piastri; Charles Leclerc; George Russell; Lewis Hamilton; Carlos Sainz; Fernando Alonso; Alex Albon, Esteban Ocon, Kevin Magnussen, Lance Stroll, Liam Lawson, Logan Sargeant, Nico Hulkenberg, Pierre Gasly, Valtteri Bottas, Yuki Tsunoda or Zhou Guanyu?
Who will be fastest in qualifying?
Qualifying has been a more competitive affair this season, but it wasn’t last time out in Japan. There, Verstappen blitzed the field in grabbing pole by nearly six tenths of a second in the dry in a mighty performance.
• Max Verstappen; Lando Norris; Carlos Sainz; Charles Leclerc; Oscar Piastri; Sergio Perez; Fernando Alonso; George Russell; Lewis Hamilton; Alex Albon; Esteban Ocon; Kevin Magnussen; Lance Stroll; Liam Lawson; Logan Sargeant; Nico Hulkenberg; Pierre Gasly; Valtteri Bottas; Yuki Tsunoda or Zhou Guanyu.
Podium finish?
McLaren scored their first double podium of the season in Japan, with Piastri and Norris joining Verstappen on the rostrum. Piastri’s podium made him the 11th different driver this season to finish in the top three, a surprisingly high number considering the overall dominance of Red Bull for much of the year. Mercedes last had a podium with Lewis Hamilton in Singapore but team mate George Russell hasn’t finished in the top three since Spain, while Fernando Alonso’s last rostrum was Zandvoort. Who else is due a top three finish? Charles Leclerc’s last podium was before the summer break in Spa in Belgium.
Max Verstappen; Lando Norris; Sergio Perez; Oscar Piastri; Lewis Hamilton; Carlos Sainz; Charles Leclerc; George Russell; Fernando Alonso; Alex Albon; Esteban Ocon; Lance Stroll; Pierre Gasly; Kevin Magnussen; Liam Lawson; Valtteri Bottas; Yuki Tsunoda; Zhou Guanyu; Logan Sargeant or Nico Hulkenberg?
Who will make the fastest lap?
The bonus point hasn’t been as crucial in the title fight this year, but it could still make all the difference further down the order. Norris and Russell are tied on 115 points each in the fight for seventh overall, while there’s not much in it between Alfa and Haas in the fight for eighth. An extra bonus point gained along with a top 10 finish could make all the difference to those two teams in Qatar.
Max Verstappen; Lando Norris; Sergio Perez; George Russell; Lewis Hamilton; Oscar Piastri; Carlos Sainz; Charles Leclerc; Fernando Alonso; Alex Albon; Lance Stroll; Esteban Ocon, Kevin Magnussen; Liam Lawson; Logan Sargeant; Nico Hulkenberg; Pierre Gasly; Valtteri Bottas; Yuki Tsunoda or Zhou Guanyu.
Which team will take most points?
Red Bull have already secured the constructors’ title for this season, won last time out in Japan. McLaren are certainly finishing the season strongly, and Ferrari have also made a big step forward since the summer break. Aston Martin’s form has tailed off of late, but will this track suit their car a bit more than the last two?
Red Bull; McLaren; Ferrari; Mercedes; Aston Martin; Alfa Romeo; AlphaTauri; Alpine, Haas; Williams?
Will a Safety Car make an appearance at the Lusail
International Circuit?
The last time F1 raced at the Lusail International Circuit there was a Virtual Safety Car, but the Safety Car itself didn’t make an appearance. Will that change this weekend? Make your guess!
(formulaone.com)
