Norris Wins First Grand Prix of Doha, Vettel Receives Matchball

Qualifying:

Pos	#	Driver	Constructor	Q1	Q2	Diff.
1	39	Sho Tsuboi		1:35.496	1:34.926
2	88	Robert Kubica		1:35.367	1:34.977	+0.051
3	47	Lando Norris		1:35.366	1:50.908	+0.440
4	18	Sebastian Vettel		1:35.724	1:35.563	+0.637
5	56	Einar Ármannsson		1:36.543	1:36.195	+1.269
6	23	Jules Bianchi		1:36.318	1:36.210	+1.284
7	94	Pascal Wehrlein		1:37.126	1:36.918	+1.992
8	20	Kevin Magnussen		1:37.125	1:37.295	+2.199
9	1	Victoria Desai		1:37.464	1:37.320	+2.394
10	57	Dean Stoneman		1:37.776	1:37.567	+2.461
11	10	Alessio Lorandi		1:37.837	1:37.963	+2.911
12	7	Charles Leclerc		1:38.262	1:37.918	+2.992
13	70	Pastor Maldonado		1:38.634	1:38.360	+3.434
14	63	George Russell		1:38.404	1:38.387	+3.461
15	60	Ritomo Miyata		1:38.712	1:38.522	+3.596
16	29	Roger Ibe		1:39.300	1:38.914	+3.988
17	26	Robert Shwartzman		1:38.956	1:39.207	+4.030
18	33	Max Verstappen		1:39.423	1:39.161	+4.235
19	55	Carlos Sainz, Jr.		1:39.317	1:39.530	+4.391
20	4	Robin Frijns		1:40.165	1:39.524	+4.598
21	81	Malik Zidan		1:40.611	1:40.027	+5.101
22	95	Beitske Visser		1:40.308	1:40.233	+5.307
23	80	Raven Roth		1:41.155	1:40.402	+5.476
24	98	Colton Herta		1:41.551	1:41.464	+6.538
25	11	Terry Hawkin		1:43.072	1:42.079	+7.153
26	21	Théo Pourchaire		1:43.392	1:43.390	+8.464

Report:

The Losail International Circuit, a favourite of motorcycle racing fans across the planet, finally got its well-deserved chance to host the most popular four-wheel racing series on the planet and it delivered a great Formula One event.

Bouyed by the venue, the midfield pack had a great fight for the last points-paying position. In particular, the efforts of Roger Ibe and Pastor Maldonado must be praised, as must be the heroic, yet unrewarded defence played by Dean Stoneman.

At the top of the grid, Lando Norris kept his dreams of becoming Formula One World’s Champion alive, although they are still hanging on by a mere thread. Taking the lead with an early stop, Norris never was in danger afterwards.

In the fight for third in the driver’s championship and second place in the team’s rankings,  ROOKIE Racing were able to make a major breakthrough, as both MRTs experienced technical issues and one retired because of them.

Race:

Pos	#	Driver	Constructor	Time/Retired	Grid	Points
1	47	Lando Norris		57:47.859	3	10
2	18	Sebastian Vettel		+9.612	4	8
3	39	Sho Tsuboi		+42.455	1	7
4	88	Robert Kubica		+44.487	2	5
5	56	Einar Ármannsson		+64.152	5	4
6	29	Roger Ibe		1 Lap	16	3
7	70	Pastor Maldonado		1 Lap	13	2
8	10	Alessio Lorandi		1 Lap	11	1
9	94	Pascal Wehrlein		1 Lap	8
10	20	Kevin Magnussen		1 Lap	6
11	57	Dean Stoneman		1 Lap	10
12	33	Max Verstappen		1 Lap	18
13	26	Robert Shwartzman		1 Lap	17
14	81	Malik Zidan		1 Lap	21
15	60	Ritomo Miyata		1 Lap	15
16	7	Charles Leclerc		1 Lap	12
17	80	Raven Roth		1 Lap	23
18	95	Beitske Visser		1 Lap	22
19	4	Robin Frijns		2 Laps	20
20	98	Colton Herta		2 Laps	24
21	55	Carlos Sainz, Jr.		2 Laps	19
22	11	Terry Hawkin		2 Laps	25
23	63	George Russell		Motor	14
24	21	Théo Pourchaire		3 Laps	26
DNF	23	Jules Bianchi		Loose Wheel	6
DNF	1	Victoria Desai		Transmission	9

Fastest Lap:

Lando Norris – 1:36.051

Infinite Improbability Drive Of The Race:

Alessio Lorandi – despite an incident with Roger Ibe, he fought himself back into the points.

Reject Of The Race:

MRT-BMW – technical issues on both cars may cost them the runner-up spot in the championship.