One week after successfully defending his title, Max Verstappen also wins his first Grand Prix as four-time world champion in Qatar. The decision on victory in the Team World Championship has been postponed.
01.12.2024, 19:02
01.12.2024, 19:10
SDA
Max Verstappen survived the wet and cheerful title party in Las Vegas in style. The Dutchman was unbeatable in an eventful race with three safety car phases - after Red Bull's initial difficulties this weekend, Verstappen's 8th place in the sprint was not to be expected. Verstappen overtook pole man George Russell in the Mercedes shortly after the start and ultimately won on the Lusail International Circuit ahead of Charles Leclerc in the Ferrari and Oscar Piastri in the McLaren.
Constructors' World Championship still open
The decision in the battle for the constructors' championship title was postponed until next weekend's season finale in Abu Dhabi after Lando Norris, who was in a promising position in second place, was handed a penalty and ultimately finished tenth, narrowly finishing in the points. The Englishman secured an additional point thanks to setting the fastest race lap.
Ferrari caught up ten points on McLaren in the team standings, also thanks to Carlos Sainz's 6th place. However, at 21 points, the gap ahead of the showdown is considerable. Ferrari have been waiting for the next world championship title as a team since 2008, McLaren even since 1998.
Four redeeming points for Sauber
For Team Sauber, the long wait for the first world championship points this year finally came to an end in the second-last race of the season. Guanyu Zhou finished eighth to secure the Hinwil-based team's first tangible result in 27 Grands Prix this season. Exactly 60 weeks ago, the Chinese driver finished ninth and Valtteri Bottas eighth, also in Qatar, to score points for Sauber for the last time. The Finn missed out on the top 10 this time in eleventh place by a good 15 seconds. 15 out of 20 cars crossed the finish line.