In Qatar Sprint is back which means that already from Friday, or today, we will have to choose the five drivers to field at Fanta F1, and make our own predictions. All with just one free practice session available. He is undoubtedly one of the most anticipated drivers of the weekend Max Verstappen, who is 177 points behind his teammate Sergio Perez he is mathematically close to the third world title of his career. In fact, only three points separate him from his third consecutive world title. And to think that, two years ago when we raced here for the first time Max hadn't won a single title.
If Red Bull is a certainty for the weekend when we talk about unknowns and bets we cannot fail to mention McLaren. A team that has risen from its ashes, and which in the last two races has achieved two podiums, one of which, the last one, is a double. At Suzuka the team confirmed its second place. Norris and Piastri form one of the most popular pairs of young drivers, even at Fanta F1.
Who to deploy at Fanta F1
At Ferrari, we continue to study the updates brought, to continue with the positive trend of the last races, and the race for second place in the constructors' championship. Both Sainz and Leclerc are extremely positive, albeit objective. All this, in addition to determining the balance of the season, will be the basis of future projects, which is why it is extremely important to collect information. The results will be looked at further down the line. For now, both are "limited" to bringing the car to its maximum potential.
As for Mercedes, Russell he is convinced that in Qatar it will still be a McLaren – Ferrari fight for second place. “The sprint race will certainly be able to mix things up, even if the McLarens will be very fast here as in Suzuka. Max will be there like every weekend, so it will be difficult. We have to fight with Ferrari at the moment for 2nd place, that's our goal and that's what we're chasing. We and Ferrari will be close until the end of the season. There were so many wasted opportunities on my part, we should have already closed the matter. Clearly it is important to finish in 2nd place, but it is also important to work on the 2024 car".
The Sprint and the fact that there has been no racing in Qatar since 2021, with its heat and high curbs, are all elements that can make this weekend even more unpredictable.
Net of what we have seen in this second part of the season, considering that it will not be possible to understand much from the only free practice of the weekend, let's see who we can line up at Fanta F1 with advice for Qatar. Our team will be made up of five drivers for a total of 100 credits.
VERSTAPPEN – PLATES – GASLY – ZHOU – MAGNUSSEN
If you want to create a mixed team, you could also focus on Perez. The Mexican must necessarily make up for the terrible weekend in Japan. The potential of the RB19 can allow him to fight in qualifying, and therefore close the front row with Verstappen. It won't be easy though given that the two McLarens are lurking and could however join him at Fanta F1.
Forecast advice at Fanta F1 in Qatar
Here is advice on forecasts.
Safety Car in the race: No
Virtual Safety Car in the race: Yes
Red Flag in the race: No
Drivers distinguish wet or full wet tires in the race: No
Team double in the race: Si
Driver who starts on pole wins the race: Yes
Stables to bring both cars into the top 10: 4
Vehicles forced to retire: 2
