As we approach this weekend’s Qatar GP, let us take a look at how things turned out in the last edition in 2021 – who won it?
The most recent Qatar Grand Prix took place on November 21, 2021, at the Losail International Circuit in Qatar. It marked the debut of the Qatar Grand Prix in the Formula One World Championship’s 2021 season, occurring as the 20th round.
Lewis Hamilton, driving for Mercedes, clinched the victory, with Max Verstappen from Red Bull finishing in second place. Notably, Fernando Alonso from the Alpine team secured his first podium finish since the 2014 Hungarian Grand Prix, and his first podium with Team Enstone since the 2009 Singapore Grand Prix. Hamilton’s win at Losail made it the 30th different circuit where he had achieved a Grand Prix victory.
The Qatar Grand Prix was not originally scheduled in the Formula One calendar but was included as a replacement for the Australian Grand Prix, which got canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This marked the inaugural edition of the Qatar Grand Prix, and it came with a 10-year agreement to host the race starting from 2023 at a newly constructed circuit.
There was no Qatar Grand Prix in 2022 because the country hosted the FIFA World Cup instead. The race gained attention due to four front-left tire failures, as some teams attempted one-stop strategies against Pirelli’s recommendations. While Lewis Hamilton won the race and led every lap, Max Verstappen, who finished second, prevented him from achieving a “grand slam” by setting the fastest lap.
Where do things stand ahead of this weekend’s race?
Throughout the season, Red Bull has consistently maintained a strong presence in the drivers’ championship race. They had an impressive start to the season, achieving remarkable 1-2 finishes in multiple races held in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Miami, Azerbaijan, and Belgium.
Impressively, they clinched first-place victories in an incredible ten consecutive races, with their most recent success being another 1-2 finish in Italy, followed by another win in Japan. Leading the championship standings is Max Verstappen with an impressive total of 400 points.
His teammate, Sergio Perez, closely follows in second place with 223 points. Lewis Hamilton, representing Mercedes, currently holds the third position with 190 points, while Fernando Alonso, Carlos Sainz, and Charles Leclerc are trailing behind in the championship standings.
In the constructors’ championship, the situation closely mirrors that of the drivers’ championship. Red Bull, the reigning champions, have firmly secured a dominant position with an impressive total of 623 points as we near the end of the season.
Mercedes, on the other hand, is significantly behind in second place, having amassed 305 points. Ferrari holds the third position in the standings with 285 points, while Aston Martin is closely trailing in the fourth spot with a total of 221 points.
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