Formula 1 Qatar Airways Qatar Grand Prix 2024 draws record crowd
HH The Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani attended the conclusion of the Formula 1 Qatar Airways Qatar Grand Prix 2024, organized by the Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation, at the Lusail International Circuit on Sunday.
Red Bull Racing’s Max Verstappen took a masterful victory in the hugely eventful race which featured three safety car appearances, numerous incidents, and a penalty for McLaren Mercedes’s Lando Norris that dropped the Briton down the order after battling for the lead.
The race concluded in spectacular fashion, with Qatar’s Prime Minister HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, Minister of Sports and Youth HE Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Minister of Social Development Buthaina bint Ali Al Jaber Al Nuaimi, International Automobile Federation (FIA) President Mohammed Ben Sulayem, Formula 1’s CEO and President Stefano Domenicali, among other distinguished guests, in attendance.
The circuit was packed with fans, as spectators filled every corner of the stands and all viewing areas surrounding the iconic 5.38km track. The three-day event drew a total attendance of approximately 155,000 spectators, marking a significant milestone for motorsport in Qatar.
As Verstappen crossed the finish line to claim victory, the Lusail night sky erupted in a dazzling fireworks display.
The day’s racing action began with the second Porsche Carrera Cup Middle East race, where Janne Stiak of DHL Team continued his dominant weekend performance by topping the practice session with a time of 1:59.168.
James Wallis (Porsche Junior GB) and Angus Whiteside (Proton Huber Competition) followed in second and third positions respectively.
Qatar’s Abdulla Al Khelaifi (QMMF) continued to impress in the ProAm category, leading his class once again after his strong showing in Saturday’s race and securing fourth position overall with a time of 2:00.747.
The FIA Formula 2 Feature Race delivered 30 laps of intense competition. Paul Aron of Hitech Pulse-Eight claimed victory with a time of 55:45.433, with Isack Hadjar (Campos Racing) crossing the line 2.763sec behind in second place. Gabriel Bortoleto completed the podium for Invicta Racing despite receiving a five-second time penalty.
As evening approached and the circuit’s spectacular lighting system illuminated the track, young performers from the Qatar Music Academy delivered a stirring rendition of the Qatari national anthem, setting the stage for the main event.
The evening’s spotlight was the 57-lap F1® Grand Prix, where Max Verstappen demonstrated his continued dominance at Lusail International Circuit by securing his second consecutive Qatar Grand Prix victory.
Starting from second on the grid following a one-position penalty from Saturday’s qualifying, Verstappen took the lead into Turn 1 and controlled the race masterfully to cross the line with a winning time of 1:31:05.323.
Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc claimed second place, finishing 6.031sec behind the winner, while McLaren’s Oscar Piastri rounded out the podium with a gap of 6.819sec. Pole-sitter George Russell had to settle for fourth position (+14.104).
The race saw particular drama for McLaren’s Lando Norris, who ran in second place for much of the race before receiving a 10sec stop-go penalty for failing to slow under yellow flags, eventually finishing in tenth place (+35.762).
Following the race, the top three drivers — Verstappen, Leclerc, and Piastri — celebrated on the podium, after which the excitement continued into the evening as three-time Grammy Award-winning band Maroon 5 took to the stage for a spectacular post-race concert.
The American pop-rock group delivered an energetic set featuring their greatest hits, providing a perfect finale to an unforgettable race weekend. Fans attended the circuit in abundance, creating an electric atmosphere that extended the day's celebrations well into the night.
Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation President Abdulrahman Al Mannai expressed his immense satisfaction with the tremendous success of the Formula 1 Qatar Airways Qatar Grand Prix 2024, stating: “We’re delighted with this year’s success across organizational, technical, and attendance levels. We were particularly pleased to host all teams, drivers, and fans who joined us at Lusail International Circuit in a wonderful gathering that embodies and reinforces our position as a comprehensive and leading centre for motorsport development in the region.
“We take pride in these achievements as they’re the result of diligent efforts from various parties, whether at Lusail International Circuit, QMMF, or all volunteers who worked tirelessly in cooperation with numerous authorities and ministries within Qatar to deliver an ideal F1 Grand Prix that’s been appreciated by everyone in Qatar and visitors from abroad, including participants and spectators who came specifically to witness this important event.”
He added: “Qatar possesses many outstanding organizational capabilities, which consistently contribute to the success of championships held here in Qatar. This year’s edition witnessed tremendous momentum both in media coverage and attendance, building upon last year’s success and demonstrating the evolution of this year’s race.
“The levels of excitement and passion reached their peak throughout the three days of the F1 Qatar Grand Prix and its support races. I would like to commend the Qatari participation in the Porsche Carrera Cup Middle East competitions held alongside the Formula 1 Qatar Grand Prix, where Qatari drivers showed good performance and benefited from being part of this global event, which will undoubtedly contribute to their development and enhance their experience.”
Fatima Al Qaedi, Marketing and Communications Manager at Lusail International Circuit, revealed that the Formula 1 Qatar Airways Qatar Grand Prix 2024 attracted more than 200 media professionals to cover this major event.
“LIC provided, as usual, outstanding media centers equipped with the best technology and event transmission facilities, ensuring ideal coverage and keeping pace with this massive global event being broadcasted by the world's largest television networks,” Al Qaedi said.
Al Qaedi expressed her delight with the great success achieved by this year’s F1 Qatar Grand Prix, emphasizing that this is not unusual for Qatar, which consistently excels in hosting mega global events.
She praised the exceptional spectator turnout that added tremendous enthusiasm and excitement to the events and competitions. She noted that fans enjoyed numerous artistic and entertainment activities throughout the three days of the Qatar Grand Prix, alongside the thrilling on-track competition between Formula 1 champions.
Al Qaedi extended her thanks to everyone who contributed to the remarkable success achieved over the past three days, which were preceded by weeks and months of preparation and continuous work to deliver an outstanding hosting experience worthy of Qatar, as is always the case with all championships organized on its soil.
The event concludes another memorable weekend of motorsport at LIC, made possible by the incredible support of fans, volunteers, and the entire F1 community.
As teams and spectators bid farewell until next year, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who contributed to making this event a celebration of motorsport excellence.
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