Winners and Losers from 2024 F1 Qatar Grand Prix

The Lusail International Circuit hosted a chaotic Qatar Grand Prix, won by four-time world champion Max Verstappen. 

It was a bizarre and controversial weekend in the Middle East, which saw odd penalties awarded to several drivers, including, Verstappen. 

However, the Dutchman recovered from a one-place grid penalty to win his ninth race of the year, ahead of Charles Leclerc and Oscar Piastri. 

So, who has made the RacingNews365 list of winners and losers for the 2024 F1 Qatar Grand Prix?

Winner - Max Verstappen

Undoubtedly, the biggest winner is Max Verstappen. The Dutchman and Red Bull were all at sea in sprint qualifying and the sprint race, yet turned things around for remainder of the event. 

Verstappen agreed it was one of the biggest swings in performance Red Bull has ever experienced, having gone from fighting Haas in the sprint, to winning the Qatar GP. 

A weird one-place grid penalty dropped the 27-year-old to second on the grid, but after taking the lead at the first corner he never looked back. 

Verstappen further cemented why he is a four-time world champion, with his ninth win of the campaign having been claimed despite having started the event with a poor car.

Loser - Lando Norris

The Qatar GP was going so well for Lando Norris; however, following an unnecessary error, it turned into a painful event.

Norris secured sprint pole and led the entirety of the 100 km race, before giving Oscar Piastri the win just 100 metres from the finish line. It was payback for Brazil, where Piastri gave up a sprint victory for Norris.

He started the grand prix in third but quickly overtook George Russell for second, before settling behind Verstappen. 

The two drivers were inseparable, until the 25-year-old received a 10-second stop/go penalty for failing to slow under yellow flags. 

As a result, he only scored two points in Qatar, meaning the constructors' title will be decided in Abu Dhabi. It was a silly error, which could have huge consequences.

Winner - Ferrari

The huge consequence for Norris is that his penalty could lead to Ferrari winning the constructors' title.

Ferrari finished second and sixth in Qatar, a fortune result given Carlos Sainz sustained a puncture during the race. 

However, with Charles Leclerc having kept his nose clean, Norris' poor result has seen the Maranello-based team cut McLaren's advantage to just 21 points.

At one-stage during the Qatar GP, McLaren looked like it could even seal the title, before the chaos unfolded. 

With Ferrari expected to be strong at the Yas Marina Circuit, its Qatar result could end up being crucial.

Loser - Sergio Perez

Sergio Perez, what more is there that can be said for the Red Bull driver. It is clear he is struggling more than ever before at the Milton Keynes-based team, throwing his future with the outfit further into the air. 

It was the weekend from hell for the 34-year-old, who was eliminated in the first part of sprint qualifying, before finishing last in the sprint itself. 

He did manage to progress to Q3, although ended up retiring from the race after a bizarre spin mid-race. 

Perez's latest shocker has resulted in Red Bull now being unable to win the constructors' title, with second only being possible with a double podium in Abu Dhabi.

Winner - Pierre Gasly

A big winner in Qatar was Pierre Gasly, who claimed a super sixth-place for Alpine. 

Whilst Kevin Magnussen finished in ninth for Haas, Gasly's huge haul of points has moved Alpine five points clear of the American team in the fight for sixth in the standings.

It is a significant advantage for Alpine, given that a minimum of five points could be difficult for Haas to score in Abu Dhabi.

The Frenchman is in fine form at the moment, at a time when Esteban Ocon has already departed the team ahead of the season finale.

Loser - Lewis Hamilton

The end of Lewis Hamilton's Mercedes career is becoming a sad occasion, with the seven-time world champion not performing at the right level. 

Qatar was a poor affair for Hamilton, who was comfortably slower than Russell. To add to his woes, the 39-year-old received two penalties during the race. 

The first was for jumping the start, the second was for speeding in the pit lane. Two silly mistakes by the 105-time race winner, who it seems is ready for his move to being in red.