Max Verstappen of Red Bull secured his ninth win of the season at the Qatar Grand Prix.
The Dutch driver was handed a one-place grid penalty after qualifying in pole position but quickly overtook Mercedes’ George Russell to take the lead at the start.
McLaren fell short of clinching the constructors’ championship, meaning the fight with Ferrari will continue into the final race of the season.
BBC F1 correspondent Andrew Benson addresses your questions ahead of this weekend’s season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Thomas asks: Should Ferrari be concerned about Lewis Hamilton’s recent struggles in qualifying, especially after letting go of Carlos Sainz, who has been performing consistently well lately?
Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur was asked about this after the Qatar Grand Prix on Sunday.
He responded, “Not at all. Just look at the 50 laps he completed in Vegas, starting from P10 and finishing right behind George Russell, the race winner. I’m not worried at all.”
While it’s clear that Hamilton’s final season with Mercedes has had its challenges, there have been some standout moments, including two wins and a remarkable drive at the British Grand Prix. Vasseur also highlighted Hamilton’s impressive recovery at Las Vegas.
However, Hamilton has been consistently outpaced by his teammate, George Russell, in qualifying, and his overall struggles with the car have been unexpected. Neither Hamilton nor Mercedes seem able to fully explain the reasons behind these issues.
What is clear is that Hamilton has struggled to adapt to this year’s Mercedes car, which he finds unpredictable. He has not been able to handle its quirks as effectively as Russell.
Looking ahead, how Hamilton fares next year at Ferrari, alongside Charles Leclerc, will be one of the most closely watched storylines of the upcoming season.
Stewart asks: Shouldn’t George Russell’s qualifying performances be given more credit? Could they be behind Lewis Hamilton’s doubts?
George Russell certainly deserves recognition for his qualifying performances, as well as his overall results.
Even before this season, Russell was nearly on par with Hamilton in qualifying during 2022 and 2023, and this year, he has clearly outpaced him.
There’s no doubt in F1 that Russell is one of the fastest drivers on the grid and a key figure in the ‘new’ generation of stars, alongside Max Verstappen, Charles Leclerc, and Lando Norris.
However, Hamilton’s struggles this year are generally seen as separate from Russell’s success.
Neither Hamilton nor Mercedes can fully explain why Hamilton has faced such challenges compared to Russell this season. But it’s understandable that dealing with a difficult car while knowing you’ll be leaving at the end of the year adds an extra layer of complexity.
Jonathan asks: The FIA seems to be in total disarray, with the debris incident at the Qatar Grand Prix being the latest issue. Can F1 push for Mohammed Ben Sulayem’s removal?
The short answer to this is no. The FIA president is elected by the member clubs every four years, with the next election set for December 2025.
Ben Sulayem is expected to run for re-election, and currently, there is no clear challenger, though rumors suggest at least one person may step forward.
However, there is significant concern within F1, both at Liberty Media and among the teams, regarding how the FIA is being managed. The number of senior departures this year has raised alarm.
Mercedes F1 team principal Toto Wolff summed it up on Sunday, saying, “It could have its own reality show with what’s happening right now.”
He added, “All of us involved in the sport need to remember that we must protect this sacred entity responsibly, with accountability and transparency. Right now, it doesn’t seem to be coming across that way.”
Dave asks: How do F1 drivers cope with jet lag? Traveling across time zones constantly can’t be easy—are they just used to it?
F1 drivers are top-tier athletes with exceptional skill, but they are still human and can be affected by jet lag like anyone else.
For instance, Carlos Sainz discussed the significant time-zone shift between Las Vegas and Qatar, saying, “It comes down to the fitness you’ve built up during the first part of the year and maintaining your health. It can be a big shock to the body, but if you’re fit, healthy, and have kept yourself warm, avoided colds, taken melatonin when needed, and slept at the right times, you should manage.”
George Russell added, “There’s not much you can do at the time. Preparation should have been done beforehand. It’s going to be challenging for everyone, but we’re all in the same situation. No one will be in peak condition personally, but it’s about minimizing the impact.”
By the way, melatonin is a hormone that aids sleep, available by prescription in the UK and over-the-counter in the US.
