Race 18 - 2023 Qatar GP

[Nitrodaze]

We are back to the "Desert PAW" where the driver's championship is set to conclude what has been a very boring competition. Shaped like the paw print of a giant medieval cat, lit in the dark desert night of Losail, this is another sweatbox of 57 laps of racing. With about 14 corners, a majority of which are slow corners, we should expect Redbull to have the measure of every car on the grid as usual. How well this layout would suit McLaren is yet to be seen.

It was noticed that Ferrari has improved their slow corner performance of late. As such, Mercedes would have their hands full in the fight with Ferrari at this race. What is at stake here is the second-place battles in both the constructors and driver championships. With a mere 24 points between Mercedes and Ferrari, the seven-time world champions are by no means in a comfortable position with six races to go.

Perez continues to be vulnerable in the Verstappen-focused Redbull car. With Hamilton at his heels by a narrowing 33 points behind. There are words in the grapevine that Mercedes has found something that may translate to an improvement in pace at this race. But all eyes are on Mclaren, have they understood and fixed their slow corner issues? Can Ferrari snatch second from Mercedes at this race?

Andretti F1 bid gains momentum as the FIA approves their application. Andretti is now set to seek the approval of the very frosty FOM and a growing disapproval of current teams on the grid. From a fan perspective, we want new blood on the grid in the form of Audi and Andretti, so make it happen FOM.

W-Series racer, Jessica Hawkins drives the Aston Martin F1 car. First female driver to pilot an F1 car since Suzie Woolf in 2018. Next to Jamie Chadwick, her record is unremarkable but nonetheless exciting to see it happen. It made me wonder why Chadwick has not been offered a test drive in F1 with her stellar pedigree. Strange how these things work eh!