2024 Qatar GP FP1: Leclerc fastest from Norris

Charles Leclerc and Ferrari made a strong statement in Qatar, setting the pace on a pivotal weekend in the Constructors’ Championship battle.

Leclerc’s impressive lap of 1:21.953 in FP1 outpaced the McLaren drivers of Lando Norris P2 and Oscar Piastri P3 by almost half a second, putting Ferrari in a commanding position as they push to thwart McLaren’s push for the Constructors’ crown.

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For the first time in Formula 1 history, cars took to the track for the start of a 23rd round in a single season. FP1 marked the only practice session of the 2024 Qatar Grand Prix, with Sprint Qualifying to follow later that evening.

Fresh off clinching his fourth World Championship, Max Verstappen set an early benchmark of 1:26.3 on his first flying lap under Doha’s setting sun. However, the Dutchman soon asked for a helmet change due to excessive airflow, while Valtteri Bottas found himself mired in what he described as “traffic paradise.”

While navigating a weekend where he questioned his exclusion as a serious candidate for a Red Bull seat, Yuki Tsunoda briefly topped the timesheets with a 1:26 flat before Verstappen reclaimed the lead. Meanwhile, George Russell wrestled with “rubbish brakes” on his Mercedes W15, adding to his struggles.

Tensions flared between Liam Lawson and Sergio Perez, with Lawson venting, “Perez, honestly,” after the Mexican flashed past his slow-moving VCARB. The exact nature of Perez’s offence remained unclear. Elsewhere, Fernando Alonso, gearing up for his milestone 400th Grand Prix start, was forced into quick evasive action as traffic became an early challenge in the session.

Soft tyres became the focus in the closing minutes of FP1, with Leclerc finding a remarkable eight-tenths to reclaim the top spot, finishing seven-tenths clear of teammate Carlos Sainz. Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll slotted into P3 briefly, but McLaren was not done yet. Leclerc’s time stood strong as Norris surged into P2 and Piastri into P3. The Monegasque driver then delivered a decisive statement, extending his lead to a commanding four-and-a-half-tenths.

Qatar GP FP1 Results

2024 Qatar Grand Prix FP1, 29 November 2024

Pos	No	Driver	Car	Time	Gap	Laps
1	16	Charles Leclerc	Ferrari	1:21.953		30
2	4	Lando Norris	McLaren Mercedes	1:22.378	+0.425s	24
3	81	Oscar Piastri	McLaren Mercedes	1:22.425	+0.472s	26
4	55	Carlos Sainz	Ferrari	1:22.535	+0.582s	30
5	22	Yuki Tsunoda	RB Honda RBPT	1:23.045	+1.092s	27
6	77	Valtteri Bottas	Kick Sauber Ferrari	1:23.064	+1.111s	29
7	18	Lance Stroll	Aston Martin Aramco Mercedes	1:23.099	+1.146s	24
8	63	George Russell	Mercedes	1:23.160	+1.207s	27
9	23	Alexander Albon	Williams Mercedes	1:23.161	+1.208s	29
10	44	Lewis Hamilton	Mercedes	1:23.188	+1.235s	26
11	1	Max Verstappen	Red Bull Racing Honda RBPT	1:23.213	+1.260s	26
12	14	Fernando Alonso	Aston Martin Aramco Mercedes	1:23.227	+1.274s	24
13	27	Nico Hulkenberg	Haas Ferrari	1:23.245	+1.292s	27
14	30	Liam Lawson	RB Honda RBPT	1:23.562	+1.609s	29
15	10	Pierre Gasly	Alpine Renault	1:23.620	+1.667s	28
16	20	Kevin Magnussen	Haas Ferrari	1:23.715	+1.762s	27
17	24	Zhou Guanyu	Kick Sauber Ferrari	1:23.880	+1.927s	27
18	11	Sergio Perez	Red Bull Racing Honda RBPT	1:24.039	+2.086s	26
19	43	Franco Colapinto	Williams Mercedes	1:24.200	+2.247s	29
20	31	Esteban Ocon	Alpine Renault	1:24.280	+2.327s	21

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Ben is a staff writer specialising in F1 from the 1990s to the modern era. Ben has been following Formula 1 since 1986 and is an avid researcher who loves understanding the technology that makes it one of the most exciting motorsport on the planet. He listens to podcasts about F1 on a daily basis, and enjoys reading books from the inspirational Adrian Newey to former F1 drivers.