Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc dominated the sole free practice for the 2024 Qatar Grand Prix held at the Lusail International Circuit, setting a blistering pace that left his rivals in the dust.
As the only practice session before the sprint qualifying which is crucial for the constructors’ championship, Leclerc’s time of 1:21.953 not only secured him the top spot but also sent a clear message to his rivals.
Charles Leclerc finished 0.425 seconds ahead of McLaren’s Lando Norris, who clocked in at 1:22.378, and fellow McLaren driver Oscar Piastri, who was just 0.472 seconds slower than Leclerc.
The free practice for the 2024 Qatar Grand Prix was marked by a flurry of activity as drivers had just one hour on the track to familiarize themselves with recent changes made to the Lusail circuit, which included new kerbs and additional gravel traps designed to enhance safety and challenge drivers.
The session began with most teams opting for Pirelli’s hard and medium compound tires, allowing them to accumulate valuable mileage and data. This was particularly important as teams were keen to optimize their setups for both the sprint qualifying and the main race.
Charles Leclerc initially set the pace early in the session, demonstrating Ferrari’s competitive edge as they aim to close the gap in the constructors’ standings against McLaren—who currently lead the Scuderia by 24 points.
The Monesgaque’s first noteworthy lap came around one-third into the session when he posted a time that placed him ahead of notable drivers like Max Verstappen and Pierre Gasly.
The session saw several drivers struggling with track limits, leading to numerous radio communications regarding traffic and setup adjustments. However, as track conditions improved and grip levels increased, teams began switching to softer tires to capitalize on the evolving surface.
As the session progressed, Lando Norris attempted to challenge Leclerc’s time but encountered difficulties at Turn 10, where he lost control momentarily, preventing him from improving his lap time significantly.
Meanwhile, Piastri had an off at Turn 15 but managed to recover without major consequences and managed to maintain a strong position, showcasing McLaren’s potential as they strive for their first constructors’ title in 26 years.
With about ten minutes remaining in the free practice for the 2024 Qatar Grand Prix, a flurry of fast laps ensued as drivers bolted on soft tires for their final runs.
Charles Leclerc’s final effort solidified his position at the top of the timesheets, while Norris and Piastri also improved their times but could not match Leclerc’s pace.
Leclerc’s teammate Carlos Sainz finished fourth with a time of 1:22.535 indicating that Ferrari was not only competitive but potentially in a position to challenge for top honors during sprint qualifying.
VCARB’s Yuki Tsunoda delivered a standout performance by securing fifth place with a time of 1:23.045. His result was particularly noteworthy given that he has been under pressure to demonstrate his capabilities amidst speculation regarding his future with Red Bull Racing.
Kick Sauber’s Valtteri Bottas and Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll rounded out the top seven positions, both showing promising form as they look to make an impact during this pivotal weekend.
Struggling with balance issues throughout the session, Mercedes drivers George Russell and Lewis Hamilton finished eighth and tenth respectively, with Williams’ Alex Albon seperating the duo in ninth.
Russell managed a time of 1:23.160 while Hamilton recorded 1:23.188 after experiencing difficulties early on that hampered his ability to find optimal speed.
In contrast, newly crowned four-time world champion Max Verstappen had a disappointing outing, finishing eleventh with a time of 1:23.213 after encountering difficulties during his flying lap attempts.
Verstappen’s teammate Sergio Perez faced even more challenges, languishing down in eighteenth place—two seconds off Leclerc’s leading time—highlighting potential struggles for Red Bull Racing as they aim to maintain their competitive edge.
The free practice for the 2024 Qatar Grand Prix was incident-free despite several drivers pushing their limits and testing track boundaries as teams prepare for sprint qualifying later in evening at 5:30 PM local time.
