Qatar Grand Prix: Picks, Predictions and Odds

A comeback drivers’ championship title win was not to be for Lando Norris but the McLaren ace has the opportunity to set the tone ahead of the 2025 F1 season at Sunday’s Qatar Grand Prix.

Max Verstappen could manage only fifth place at the Las Vegas Grand Prix last time out but it was enough for the Red Bull star to secure his fourth consecutive world title.

Norris had to settle for sixth place on the Las Vegas Strip, a result that saw his late push for a maiden championship this season come to an end.

There is little doubt how far the Brit has come over the last six months and now the 25-year-old can look to set the foundations for another title push next year, starting with this weekend’s Qatar Grand Prix.

Qatar Grand Prix betting picks and predictions

Lando Norris to win (+175)

Norris can perhaps race with a little more freedom at the Lusail International Circuit this weekend, knowing that the 2024 title race is over after the events in Nevada.

The English racer impressed in the Qatar Grand Prix last year, as he started all the way down in 10th place on the grid after disappointing in qualifying, before finishing the race on the podium in third.

Given the progress Norris has made over the last 12 months with McLaren, an improvement in qualifying this weekend can give this exciting driver a great opportunity to take the chequered flag on Sunday.

With three wins already this season, there’s value to be had at +175 in backing Norris to claim a fourth race victory in this penultimate meeting of the 2024 F1 campaign.

George Russell podium finish (+125)

Mercedes ace George Russell will be on a high when he heads to the Lusail International Circuit this weekend after his efforts in Vegas last time.

The Brit impressed on the street circuit to claim his second race win of the season.

Russell has the opportunity to finish the campaign strongly and set his own marker down ahead of the arrival of Andrea Kimi Antonelli as his new Mercedes team-mate next season, while Lewis Hamilton moves on to pastures new with Ferrari.

Looking back to last year, Russell was second fastest in qualifying in Qatar but a collision with his own team-mate Hamilton at the very first corner of the race saw him spin to the back of the field.

With the Safety Car deployed, Hamilton was forced to retire from the contest, while Russell managed to maintain his composure and finish in fourth place on the day.

Just missing out on the Lusail podium last year after that dramatic collision, Russell looks capable of a top-three finish on Sunday, especially after his confidence-boosting performance in the US last week.

Pierre Gasly points finish (+137)

After the frustration of being forced to retire at the Las Vegas Grand Prix last time out, expect a response from Frenchman Pierre Gasly this weekend.

Having finished 10th at the Mexican Grand Prix and an impressive third in Sao Paulo, Vegas was a setback in Gasly’s push up the standings.

However, Gasly has responded well to disappointments in the past and is capable of being back among the points this weekend in Qatar.

With seven top-10 finishes this season and just missing out on the points on this track last year with a 12th-place finish, Gasly can finish 10th at the very least on Sunday.

Qatar Grand Prix outright odds

Lando Norris	+175
Max Verstappen	+400
Oscar Piastri	+400
George Russell	+550
Lewis Hamilton	+550
Charles Leclerc	+900
Carlos Sainz Jr	+1000
Sergio Perez	+1500

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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.