2024 Qatar Grand Prix Betting Preview

The time zone alters by 11 hours for teams and drivers as Formula 1 shifts from Las Vegas to the Qatar Grand Prix 2024. Max Verstappen, world champion for the fourth season on the spin, will be among those chasing glory in the extreme heat on the challenging Losail International Circuit near Doha. The race weekend offers tons of betting opportunities, including the final sprint race of the year. Read on to learn about the penultimate event on the Formula 1 calendar.

What to Know About the Qatar Grand Prix

Verstappen led from start to finish and set the fastest-ever lap time of 1:24.319 to triumph at the 2023 Qatar Grand Prix. Yet he had to settle for runner-up to McLaren’s Oscar Piastri in last year’s 19-lap sprint race. The twisty 5.38km track features 16 corners — mainly medium-speed corners, with some high-speed plus a handful of slower turns — and a long straight for overtaking opportunities during the 57-lap race. Tyre damage is prevalent during the race because of the circuit’s curbs — which are a mixture of artificial grass, asphalt and gravel. With the tyre life being capped at 18 laps for safety reasons during last year’s race, it meant at least three pit stops for drivers. There’s plenty of betting action before the main race, with a practice session and sprint race qualifying on day one, plus the sprint race and qualifying on day two.

How to Place Bets on the Qatar GP

A wager on a driver or team as an outright winner and for a top-six finish proves to be a popular Formula 1 bet. A more cautious flutter is to back a driver for a podium finish, although the odds may not be as generous. Knowledge is key for sports betting, such as McLaren having the fastest car/driver combination, which should result in recording the fastest lap, and Red Bull Racing usually producing the fastest pit stops this season. Formula 1 fans could also consider a potentially high-odds pre-set accumulator for the fastest qualifier, fastest lap and race winner.

Odds and Predictions for Qatar’s F1 Race

Several drivers have suffered heat exhaustion and been physically sick in their cars during previous Qatar F1 races. The Qatar Grand Prix schedule is gruelling because of the high temperatures, extreme humidity and the high-speed layout of the circuit. The pit crew, also impacted by the heat in Qatar, should not be overlooked as they play a major role in this race because at least three pit stops will be required.

Drivers can hit top speeds and use aggressive overtaking manoeuvres, just like the previous race in Las Vegas on this circuit. McLaren has the fastest car in F1, boasting the strongest set of drivers in Lando Norris and Piastri. While it will be intriguing to monitor the Ferrari pair of Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz, who are at loggerheads for the final two races of the 2024 campaign. Let’s take a closer look at the Qatar betting odds and some Qatar F1 betting tips:

Predictions

• Odds For Winner
  World champion Verstappen, who has won eight races this term and finished fifth in Las Vegas with a measured performance, lies behind favourite Norris to win according to Qatar betting odds. Verstappen reigned supreme at Qatar last year and he should be back to his best following a cautious showing in his previous race in the United States.
  
  Max Verstappen: 5.00
  Lando Norris: 3.00

• Odds for a Podium Finish
  Norris and Verstappen are expected to dominate the Qatar Grand Prix, while it will be fascinating to look out for any fireworks between the Ferrari duo of Leclerc and Sainz. Leclerc is fuming with Sainz, for seemingly ignoring team orders at the Las Vegas race, which ultimately cost him valuable points.
  
  Lando Norris: 1.50
  Max Verstappen: 1.53
  Oscar Piastri: 1.83
  Lewis Hamilton: 2.25
  George Russell: 2.25
  Charles Leclerc: 2.50
  Carlos Sainz: 2.50

• Odds for Sprint Race Winner
  It seems a straightforward shoot-out between Norris, Piastri and Verstappen over 19 laps for the season’s final sprint. The trio all finished in the top three in last year’s sprint race.
  
  Lando Norris: 3.00
  Max Verstappen: 4.33
  Oscar Piastri: 5.50

• Fastest Lap
  Oscar Piastri: 11.00

• First To Retire
  George Russell: 26.00

• Most Team Points
  McLaren: 1.40

• Practice 1 Winning Car
  Verstappen/Red Bull: 4.50

• Odds for a Top Ten Finish
  Kevin Magnussen: 2.10
  Alex Albon: 2.75
  Zhou Guanyu: 51.00

• Safety Car
  Yes: 1.33
  No: 3.25

• Odds for a Top Six Finish
  Pierre Gasly: 10.00
  Esteban Ocon: 13.00
  Yuki Tsunoda: 17.00
  Lance Stroll: 34.00

• Winning Margin
  Over 0.2 seconds: 2.10

• Number of Classified Finishers
  Over 18.5: 1.83

Top Betting Markets for the Qatar Grand Prix

Formula 1 offers a wide selection of betting opportunities with popular punts for each race, such as the outright winner, the fastest lap and a podium finish (top three drivers). The winner of the sprint race and the F1 Qatar GP race winner are flutters on who takes the chequered flag to finish first. Wagers on the fastest lap during the sprint and main race are ideal for in-play betting. It is worth considering live betting for Qatar with so many pit stops, and by following the action you may want to predict the fastest pit stop for the Grand Prix.

Watching the Qatar GP from South Africa

Formula 1 fans in South Africa can tune into the high-octane live action from the Qatar 2024 Grand Prix with SuperSport for the sprint race, qualifying session and main race. F1 TV Pro also provides in-depth coverage throughout the season. This subscription service has access to onboard car cameras, tunes into team radio communication and streams live races.

When is the Qatar Grand Prix Scheduled?

South African Formula 1 fans can follow the thrills ‘n’ spills from Qatar over three days. The Qatar Grand Prix is due to begin on 29 November with practice (15:30 South African time) and sprint race qualifying (19:30 pm). The sprint race (15:00) and qualifying (19:00) are scheduled for 30 November, with the main race set to start at 18:00 on 1 December.

Tips for Betting on the Qatar Grand Prix

It’s best to follow how the drivers and cars perform during practice, qualifying and the sprint race before placing a big bet on the F1 Qatar GP race result. Versatile Verstappen, fresh from being crowned world champion in Las Vegas, excelled on the Losail International Circuit last year and should continue to impress. There could be a clash on the track since the fallout between Ferrari duo Leclerc and Sainz, which would allow other drivers to take advantage.

When you scrutinise F1 driver records for Qatar, which is easy as this year is only the third-ever Qatar Grand Prix, look at who tolerated the extreme heat and how their tyres coped with the wear and tear. Other essential elements to consider before you have a punt is the driver’s defending and overtaking skills, plus where they finished in comparison to their starting grid position in Qatar.

Can You Bet During the Race?

Sometimes, you’ll need to be as quick as the F1 pit stop mechanics when it comes to live betting for the Qatar Grand Prix. There’s a plethora of markets for you to have a wager on such as fastest lap, quickest pit stop and podium finish. Ahead of the main race, you get two days to determine when it’s best to stake a wager, but you should ensure your account is easily accessible to place a punt. Keep an eye on the F1 action and look out for any substantial shifts in odds during the practice session, the sprint race, qualifying and the main race as you try to get the edge over a bookmaker.

The Qatar Grand Prix, one of the most physical circuits on the F1 calendar, is always a flat-out battle. In-play betting suits this race because of the excellent overtaking opportunities on the 1km long straight, potential tyre damage as usual, plus the fact that both drivers and pit crews tend to be affected by the extreme heat. There is a vast array of betting options as the elite athletes battle it out for precious points despite the World Drivers’ Championship having already been decided. Verstappen was the winner in Las Vegas while Nando was the loser, but things could change in Qatar.