Max Verstappen followed up securing his fourth world championship by winning a chaotic Qatar Grand Prix as Lewis Hamilton suffered another miserable evening in his penultimate Mercedes appearance.
Seven-time world champion Hamilton was penalised twice by the stewards and said his car was “broken” as he finished down in 12th spot in a race which saw Verstappen claim a dominant win.
Lando Norris had been on course to finish runner-up, but he was dealt a severe 10-second stop-and-go penalty for failing to slow under waved yellows, dropping him to 10th.
Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc took advantage of Norris’ demise to take second place, six seconds behind Verstappen, and one spot ahead of McLaren driver Oscar Piastri. Russell finished fourth.
F1 QATAR GRAND PRIX - LATEST UPDATES
- Max Verstappen wins dramatic Qatar Grand Prix; Leclerc 2nd; Piastri 3rd
- Verstappen ‘lost all respect’ for George Russell after controversial F1 incident
- Esteban Ocon axed as Alpine confirm replacement driver for final race
- Comment: Why Lewis Hamilton needs his worst-ever F1 season to end now
Constructors’ Championship after Qatar GP
10:00 , Kieran Jackson1. McLaren - 640 points
2. Ferrari - 619 points
3. Red Bull Racing - 581 points
4. Mercedes - 446 points
5. Aston Martin - 92 points
6. Alpine - 59 points
7. Haas - 54 points
8. RB - 46 points
9. Williams - 17 points
10. Sauber - 4 points
Esteban Ocon axed as Alpine confirm replacement driver for final F1 race of season in Abu Dhabi
09:40 , Jamie BraidwoodEsteban Ocon has been dropped by Alpine for the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix – with F1 rookie Jack Doohan replacing him.
Ocon, who has been a driver for the French team since the 2020 season, joins Haas next year and was expected to see out his five years at Alpine next week.
Yet after crashing out on lap one of the Qatar GP, Ocon’s time at Alpine has been stopped prematurely with Doohan stepping in for the final race.
Esteban Ocon axed as Alpine confirm replacement driver for Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
Lewis Hamilton not expecting to leave Mercedes on a high after struggle in Qatar
09:00 , Kieran JacksonLewis Hamilton demanded to be withdrawn from Sunday’s Qatar Grand Prix in the penultimate episode of his drawn-out divorce from Mercedes.
As Max Verstappen bounced back from being stripped of pole position to take victory – before launching a stinging attack on a “two-faced” George Russell – Hamilton was penalised twice by the stewards, claimed his car was “broken”, and then pleaded with Mercedes to retire him from the race.
He eventually took the chequered flag 12th of the 15 classified finishers.
Lewis Hamilton not expecting to leave Mercedes on a high after struggle in Qatar
Why Lewis Hamilton needs his worst-ever F1 season to end now
08:56 , Kieran JacksonSo often a figure of hope and optimism, it has been tough listening to Lewis Hamilton’s outright despondency on the airwaves in recent weeks. In many ways, stretching back to the Brazilian Grand Prix at the start of November, it has been a month which has been a stark microcosm of his final three years at Mercedes.
Why Lewis Hamilton needs his worst-ever F1 season to end now
McLaren team principal Andrea Stella on Norris’ penalty:
07:00 , Kieran Jackson“We checked the data, Lando stays flat out. The requirement is very clear, responsibility of the driver to realise.
“At the same time, I think it’s quite peculair that the yellow flag was deployed and then removed but the situation was the same, debris on track. Unfortunate, I would say.
“I think we’ve lost any sense of proportion or specificity. Can we look at the infringement at the level of danger to the situation? Judge, using this kind of elements, rather than looking at any kind of rulebook full of dust on top of it. There’s an opportunity to do better from the FIA.”
Lando Norris after finishing 10th and receiving that 10-second stop-and-go penalty...
06:00 , Kieran Jackson“Honestly, I don’t know what I did wrong, apparently I didn’t slow under the yellow. I’m not an idiot, if I had seen it I’d have slowed down. The rule is if I had slowed down.
“Of course it’s an opportunity missed, it’s quite obvious. The team gave me a great car today, disappointed that I did a worse job today, I made the job of the team much harder than it needed to be.
“I let them down today.”
F1 signs new long-term contract with Monza for the Italian Grand Prix
04:01 , Kieran JacksonF1 has signed a new long-term contract with Monza, keeping the famous circuit on the calendar until 2031.
The Autodromo Nazionale Monza track, 12 miles north of central Milan, has hosted the Italian Grand Prix every year bar one since the inception of the Formula One world championship in 1950.
Full story:
F1 signs new long-term contract with Monza for the Italian Grand Prix
Mick Schumacher makes shock career switch away from F1
03:00 , Kieran JacksonMick Schumacher has decided to leave his role as a Mercedes F1 reserve driver at the end of the 2024 season.
The 25-year-old German, son of seven-time F1 world champion Michael Schumacher, was dropped by Haas at the end of the 2022 season after a two-year run but in the two years since has been an understudy for George Russell and Lewis Hamilton at the Silver Arrows.
However, having not appeared once on an F1 weekend and having not secured a race seat for 2025, Schumacher has decided to leave the team and explore new opportunities after what he described as a “tough” two years watching in the garage.
Full story below:
Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc after finishing second:
02:00 , Kieran Jackson“Coming into the weekend, we never said it within the team but we expected McLaren to score more points, so it’s a big surprise. As much as it’s going to be a stretch to get that constructors [title], we will give it all until the last lap. Today was very unexpected to finish above the McLarens, I’m really happy.
“It should be better [Abu Dhabi]. We definitely should be closer to McLaren, they were super strong today.”
Michael Schumacher’s Ferrari features in Bernie Ecclestone’s £300m car sale
01:00 , Kieran JacksonBernie Ecclestone is selling his entire collection of Formula One cars, which is expected to be worth more than £300m to the sport’s former supremo.
Ecclestone, 94, ran F1 for four decades and his lot of 69 cars – which spans 70 years of Grand Prix racing – is considered to be the greatest assembly of motor racing machines in the world.
The Ferrari which carried Michael Schumacher to his third of five consecutive world championships with the team leads the collection.
Full story:
Michael Schumacher’s Ferrari features in Bernie Ecclestone’s £300m car sale
Jenson Button on Norris’ penalty:
Sunday 1 December 2024 23:58 , Kieran Jackson“In terms of the rules, rules are the rules. It sounds unbelievably harsh... the rule is the issue, it’s a set rule that needs possibly looking at.”
Zhou Guanyu after finishing eighth for Sauber’s first points of the year:
Sunday 1 December 2024 22:11 , Kieran Jackson“I’m in a much better place, I felt good around there. Happy for the team.
“When you’re working hard and nothing is coming, it’s frustrating. It’s a relief. One to go for the guys and see what the future is.”
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff:
Sunday 1 December 2024 21:45 , Kieran Jackson“That was not a good day at the office, we lost all the balance in the car. Horrific understeer. In any case, the mistakes we collectively made, the drivers, the team, a lot to look at.
“The penalties were brutal, particularly to McLaren. It could cost the championship. It needs to be consistency, if a race director comes in and he has a hard stance, so be it.”
Max Verstappen sends expletive-laden message to George Russell after penalty incident
Sunday 1 December 2024 21:12 , Kieran JacksonMax Verstappen has told George Russell to “f*** off” after the pair clashed in the stewards’ room after qualifying for the Qatar Grand Prix.
Verstappen qualified on pole but after a lengthy deliberation involving both drivers, the stewards gave the 2024 F1 world champion a one-place grid penalty for impeding Russell on a warm-up lap in the final phase of qualifying.
Full piece below:
Max Verstappen sends expletive-laden message to George Russell after penalty incident
Lewis Hamilton after finishing 12th:
Sunday 1 December 2024 20:45 , Kieran Jackson“It didn’t go that great, these things happen. Don’t judge me by how many times I fall. gonna get up tomorrow and give it another go.
“The car and I don’t get along, we were very far off at the beginning. We didn’t have enough wing to start with, the cars were quite different, it wasn’t great to drive. My fault today, apologies for today, for false start and pit lane incident.
“I’m not thinking about it, even if it finishes like this weekend, that doesn’t define the journey we’ve been on and the journey we’ve had, I’ll give it everything we can.”
George Russell after finishing fourth:
Sunday 1 December 2024 20:22 , Kieran Jackson“We didn’t have the pace today. The speed we had totally disappeared, we need to understand why that was.
“P4 was a better result than what we deserved.
“I was right up behind Fernando, I didn’t see the debris. Easy to say in hindsight, not an easy call.
RACE REPORT: Max Verstappen wins chaotic Qatar Grand Prix after surprising Lando Norris penalty
Sunday 1 December 2024 20:06 , Kieran JacksonMax Verstappen followed up securing his fourth world championship by winning a chaotic Qatar Grand Prix as Lewis Hamilton suffered another miserable evening in his penultimate Mercedes appearance.
Seven-time world champion Hamilton was penalised twice by the stewards and said his car was “broken” as he finished down in 12th spot in a race which saw Verstappen claim a dominant win.
The Dutchman was stripped of pole position in the early hours of Sunday morning after he impeded George Russell in qualifying.
Max Verstappen wins chaotic Qatar Grand Prix after surprising Lando Norris penalty
Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz after finishing sixth:
Sunday 1 December 2024 19:35 , Kieran Jackson“Today we lost more than we gained as an opportunity, we had a puncture. I didn’t have time to come into the pits, had to lose a lot of time, the safety car came out when I came out of the pits. A very unlucky situation which cost us a lot of race time.
“Sometimes racing is like that.
“The race was running smoothly up until then, I didn’t expect it to happen. I got a sudden puncture, a very unlucky situation.”
QATAR GP ATTENDANCE:
Sunday 1 December 2024 18:40 , Kieran Jackson154,973 - a new record for F1 Qatar.
Time for the podium!
Sunday 1 December 2024 18:23 , Kieran JacksonAnd the familiar tune of the Dutch and Austrian national anthems in Qatar!
Max Verstappen after finishing P1:
Sunday 1 December 2024 18:10 , Kieran Jackson“It was a very good race. The car was a lot better, that first stint was very fast. Lando and I were pushing each other.
“That was a lot of fun to be really pushing the tyre. Very happy, it’s been a while in the dry to be this competitive.”
Oscar Piastri after finishing third:
Sunday 1 December 2024 17:57 , Kieran Jackson“It was a tricky race, the cars at the front had similar pace to each other.
“It’s going to take everything we got to seal the [constructors’] deal.”
TOP-10 IN THE QATAR GRAND PRIX:
Sunday 1 December 2024 17:48 , Kieran Jackson1. Max Verstappen
2. Charles Leclerc
3. Oscar Piastri
4. George Russell
5. Pierre Gasly
6. Carlos Sainz
7. Fernando Alonso
8. Zhou Guanyu
9. Kevin Magnussen
10. Lando Norris (+fastest lap)
Lando Norris receives ‘unbelievably extreme’ penalty in dramatic Qatar Grand Prix
Sunday 1 December 2024 17:40 , Kieran JacksonLando Norris received a shock 10-second stop-and-go penalty which sent the McLaren driver from second place to last place towards the end of a dramatic Qatar Grand Prix.
Norris was penalised by the stewards for failing to slow down in double-waved yellow flag conditions on the main straight.
Race leader Max Verstappen noticed that Norris did not slow down behind him and the stewards eventually made their call.
Full piece below:
Lando Norris receives ‘unbelievably extreme’ penalty in dramatic Qatar Grand Prix
F1 Qatar GP LIVE: George Russell recieves a penalty!
Sunday 1 December 2024 17:39 , Kieran JacksonRussell gets a five-second penalty for a safety car infringement after the race - but it won’t matter!
He will stay in fourth, having finished 6 seconds clear of Gasly on the track!
F1 Qatar GP LIVE: Max Verstappen wins the Qatar Grand Prix!
Sunday 1 December 2024 17:36 , Kieran JacksonMax Verstappen takes another victory in Lusail - with Charles Leclerc in second and Oscar Piastri in third!
4-10: Russell, Gasly, Sainz, Alonso, Zhou, Magnussen, Norris
Ferrari take the constructors’ battle down to the final race in Abu Dhabi!
What a dramatic end to that race!
F1 Qatar GP LIVE: Final lap!
Sunday 1 December 2024 17:34 , Kieran JacksonVerstappen leads by 6.4 seconds as we take the final lap!
Top-10: Verstappen, Leclerc, Piastri, Russell, Gasly, Sainz, Alonso, Zhou, Magnussen, Norris
Norris sets the fastest lap...
F1 Qatar GP LIVE: Norris up to P10 (Lap 55/57)
Sunday 1 December 2024 17:34 , Kieran JacksonNorris is up to 10th ahead of Valtteri Bottas - he is lapping so much quicker than the cars ahead!
F1 Qatar GP LIVE: Norris surging through the field (Lap 52/57)
Sunday 1 December 2024 17:28 , Kieran JacksonNorris now up to P12, and he could still get a point yet for McLaren!
Out in front, Verstappen’s lead to Leclerc is 5.1 seconds.
Top-10:Verstappen, Leclerc, Piastri, Russell, Gasly, Sainz, Alonso, Zhou, Magnussen, Bottas
F1 Qatar GP LIVE: Norris and Hamilton in the final two positions (Lap 49/57)
Sunday 1 December 2024 17:23 , Kieran JacksonWhat a difference those penalties have made to this race!
Max Verstappen has a comfortable lead to Charles Leclerc of 4.3 seconds.
Top-10: Verstappen, Leclerc, Piastri, Russell, Gasly, Sainz, Alonso, Zhou, Magnussen, Albon
F1 Qatar GP LIVE: Lewis Hamilton receives a penalty (Lap 48/57)
Sunday 1 December 2024 17:22 , Kieran JacksonAnd now Hamilton has a drive-through penalty for speeding in the pit-lane!
Hamilton is asking to retire!
But he doesn’t! Hamilton drops to last behind Norris...
F1 Qatar GP LIVE: Lando Norris serves penalty (Lap 46/57)
Sunday 1 December 2024 17:19 , Kieran JacksonWhat a shock that is! Hell of a call from the stewards!
Norris serves his stop and he drops to last in P15!
Blimey!
Norris: “For what?”
F1 Qatar GP LIVE: Lando Norris receives a penalty! (Lap 44/57)
Sunday 1 December 2024 17:18 , Kieran JacksonWow, this is huge for the race and for the constructors’ championship!
Lando Norris has been given a 10-second stop-and-go penalty for failing to slow under yellow flags!
Norris has to serve the penalty within the next three laps!
Big old penalty that!
F1 Qatar GP LIVE: Max Verstappen keeps the lead! (Lap 43/57)
Sunday 1 December 2024 17:15 , Kieran JacksonA much better restart from Verstappen this time as he keeps P1, while Norris has to defend hard on the inside at turn 1 from Leclerc in third!
F1 Qatar GP LIVE: Lando Norris under investigation (Lap 42/57)
Sunday 1 December 2024 17:13 , Kieran JacksonTrouble for Lando!
He’s under investigation for failing to slow down when there were double yellow flags on the home straight!
Replays show he did not lift. He may be in trouble!
Safety car coming in...
F1 Qatar GP LIVE: Perez and Hulkenberg out! (Lap 41/57)
Sunday 1 December 2024 17:11 , Kieran JacksonBrilliant action there at the restart!
Perez and Hulkenberg are out though - another nightmare end to a race weekend for the Mexican!
Top-10: Verstappen, Norris, Leclerc, Piastri, Russell, Gasly, Sainz, Alonso, Zhou, Magnussen
Verstappen did so so well to hold the lead at the start there!
F1 Qatar GP LIVE: Safety car comes in! (Lap 39/57)
Sunday 1 December 2024 17:09 , Kieran JacksonLando Norris and Max Verstappen were neck and neck after the restart, but the Red Bull just stays ahead!
Pierre Gasly runs wide for Alpine at turn one!
All action at the restart!
Sergio Perez, meanwhile, has “lost drive” and then got hit at turn 15! Nico Hulkenberg is also out of the race and is in the gravel!
Virtual safety car!
F1 Qatar GP LIVE: Cars going through the pit-lane (Lap 38/57)
Sunday 1 December 2024 17:04 , Kieran JacksonGiven the debris on the main straight, the cars are being led through the pit-lane!
Top-10: Verstappen, Norris, Leclerc, Piastri, Perez, Gasly, Russell, Sainz, Zhou, Alonso
Great chance for Sauber to get their first points with Zhou Guanyu in ninth!
F1 Qatar GP LIVE: Verstappen and Norris pit (Lap 37/57)
Sunday 1 December 2024 17:00 , Kieran JacksonThe Red Bull’s stop was 0.8 secs quicker but both pit, as does Leclerc!
Top-10: Verstappen, Norris, Leclerc, Piastri, Perez, Gasly, Russell, Sainz, Alonso, Zhou
Lewis Hamilton has dropped to second-last in P16 - what a nightmare for the Mercedes man!
It has to be asked... why did it take two punctures for a safety car to come out? Seems ridiculous!
Safety car is going to go through the pit-lane...
F1 Qatar GP LIVE: Safety car! (Lap 36/57)
Sunday 1 December 2024 16:57 , Kieran JacksonFinally we have a safety car!
Cue mayhem in the pits.
Hamilton: “Trust me to have this luck!”
F1 Qatar GP LIVE: Lewis Hamilton and Carlos Sainz have punctures! (Lap 35/57)
Sunday 1 December 2024 16:57 , Kieran JacksonLudicrous stuff!
Hamilton and Sainz have punctures, presumably, from the debris on the main straight!
Why on earth was the mirror not cleared?
A lot of the frontrunners pitting now!
F1 Qatar GP LIVE: Verstappen’s lead to Norris is 2.3 seconds (Lap 33/57)
Sunday 1 December 2024 16:55 , Kieran JacksonThis is a tad bizarre.
The wing mirror is still on the straight and Valtteri Bottas has just run over it!
He’s smashed it into pieces!
F1 Qatar GP LIVE: Russell stuck behind Alonso (Lap 30/57)
Sunday 1 December 2024 16:51 , Kieran JacksonRussell, now in 10th, can’t squeeze past Alonso in ninth.
Meanwhile, there’s a wing-mirror on the main straight - it looks like it flew off Alex Albon’s Williams quite randomly!
VSC incoming?
Verstappen’s lead to Norris is 1.6 seconds at this point.
Top-10: Verstappen, Norris, Piastri, Leclerc, Sainz, Perez, Hamilton, Gasly, Alonso, Russell
F1 Qatar GP LIVE: George Russell pits (Lap 24/57)
Sunday 1 December 2024 16:41 , Kieran JacksonMercedes don’t let Piastri get ahead as they pit Russell, but it’s a very slow stop - 7 seconds!
He drops to 11th - when it should have been eighth at worse!
Nightmare for Russell!
F1 Qatar GP LIVE: Oscar Piastri right on the tail of George Russell (Lap 23/57)
Sunday 1 December 2024 16:40 , Kieran JacksonClosest battle on track is for third, with Piastri within half-a-second of Russell!
Mercedes are struggling for pace compared to McLaren, here.
How long can Russell hold on?!
F1 Qatar GP LIVE: Oscar Piastri understeers at the final turn (Lap 17/57)
Sunday 1 December 2024 16:32 , Kieran JacksonChasing George Russell in third with DRS, Piastri goes a tad off track before the home straight - and loses a lot of ground!
Other than that, no movement in the pit-lane for the top-10 - as Norris sets the fastest lap and cuts the gap to Verstappen to 1.7 secs.
Top-10: Verstappen, Norris, Russell, Piastri, Leclerc, Sainz, Perez, Hamilton, Magnussen, Gasly
F1 Qatar GP LIVE: Lewis Hamilton receives a penalty (Lap 14/57)
Sunday 1 December 2024 16:28 , Kieran JacksonFive-second penalty for the seven-time champion for that false start!
He’ll have to serve that at his first pit stop.
At the front, Verstappen’s lead has extended to two seconds to Norris.
Top-10: Verstappen, Norris, Russell, Piastri, Leclerc, Sainz, Perez, Hamilton, Magnussen, Gasly
F1 Qatar GP LIVE: Verstappen has a healthy lead (Lap 8/57)
Sunday 1 December 2024 16:21 , Kieran JacksonMax Verstappen’s gap is 1.7 seconds to Lando Norris, who has a 1.2-second gap to George Russell.
Lewis Hamilton has been noted for a false start by the stewards, too.
Further back, Lance Stroll has retired from the race.
Top-10: Verstappen, Norris, Russell, Piastri, Leclerc, Sainz, Perez, Hamilton, Tsunoda, Magnussen
F1 Qatar GP LIVE: Oscar Piastri up to P4! (Lap 5/57)
Sunday 1 December 2024 16:14 , Kieran JacksonLeclerc loses fourth at the restart, with Verstappen also keeping first quite comfortable after a smooth restart!
F1 Qatar GP LIVE: Safety car is ending! (Lap 4/57)
Sunday 1 December 2024 16:12 , Kieran JacksonVerstappen slows the pack then ahead of the final turn as the safety car heads in, with Colapinto and Ocon’s car cleared!
F1 Qatar GP LIVE: Safety car! (Lap 3/57)
Sunday 1 December 2024 16:10 , Kieran JacksonSafety car still out.
Top-10: Verstappen, Norris, Russell, Leclerc, Piastri, Sainz, Perez, Alonso, Hamlton, Tsunoda
It was quite the collision at the back there, with Nico Hulkenberg also involved! Alex Albon was also spun round by Lance Stroll!
Looks like Lewis Hamilton may have made a false start, too, but did back out - hence he has dropped from sixth to ninth!
F1 Qatar GP LIVE: Max Verstappen takes the lead at the start!
Sunday 1 December 2024 16:06 , Kieran JacksonTerrific from Verstappen off the line, who takes the lead down the inside at turn one!
Lando Norris almost sneaks past Verstappen as well, but has to settle for second, with Russell down to third!
And we have a first lap SAFETY CAR - with Colapinto and Ocon stranded in the gravel at turn one!
F1 Qatar GP LIVE: Formation lap!
Sunday 1 December 2024 16:01 , Kieran JacksonGeorge Russell leads the 20-car pack around then for the formation lap.
Every car is on medium tyres apart from Nico Hulkenberg in 18th, who starts on the hard tyre.
One-stop race or perhaps two stops? We shall see!
Race start coming right up!
A reminder of the starting grid for the Qatar Grand Prix:
Sunday 1 December 2024 15:58 , Kieran Jackson1. George Russell
2. Max Verstappen*
3. Lando Norris
4. Oscar Piastri
5. Charles Leclerc
6. Lewis Hamilton
7. Carlos Sainz
8. Fernando Alonso
9. Sergio Perez
10. Kevin Magnussen
11. Pierre Gasly
12. Zhou Guanyu
13. Valtteri Bottas
14. Yuki Tsunoda
15. Lance Stroll
16. Alex Albon
17. Liam Lawson
18. Nico Hulkenberg
19. Franco Colapinto
20. Esteban Ocon
* Verstappen has been penalised one place for impeding Russell in qualifying
F1 Qatar GP LIVE: We’re almost at lights out!
Sunday 1 December 2024 15:55 , Kieran JacksonGeorge Russell - somewhat controversially - is on pole position ahead of Max Verstappen, with Lando Norris in third place.
Verstappen’s blood will be boiling, but can he keep it under control?!
Who will hold the lead after turn one?!
Mercedes’ George Russell, who starts on pole...
Sunday 1 December 2024 15:53 , Kieran Jackson“I know he is, he’s already told me. It will be an interesting turn one.
“Lando is quick, Max is quick - but we just have to focus on our own race.”
Christian Horner on Verstappen’s penalty:
Sunday 1 December 2024 15:51 , Kieran Jackson“For me, it was a football player taking a dive in the penalty box, you could argue George was going too fast behind. Not sure why we had a one-place grid penalty, if he needed anymore motivation...
“He’s wound up for this one!”
Rio Ferdinand on the grid in Qatar...
Sunday 1 December 2024 15:48 , Kieran Jackson“I’m here for the F1, I’m buzzing to be here. I’m back on the grid now.
“Lewis and Max Verstappen as well, I respect these elite sportsmen. Because I’ve not been for so long, the technology has gone through the roof.”
Time for the Qatar national anthem at the Lusail International Circuit!
Sunday 1 December 2024 15:45 , Kieran JacksonPerformed by the Qatar Music Academy Choir!
F1 Academy champion Abbi Pulling:
Sunday 1 December 2024 15:40 , Kieran Jackson“I knew it was my championship to lose, a high possibility to clinch the title, I’m so proud to have achieved it. One of my proudest moments, for sure.
“I don’t think people realise how much pressure was on this year, if I didn’t win my career was uncertain. I can go into Christmas knowing what I’m doing next year [GB3 Championship]!
“My Dad has not been able to come to any races this year, he’s been a bit poorly, but he flew out for this. I can’t thank my family enough for the sacrifices they’ve made.”
Max Verstappen, prior to being given a one-place grid penalty:
Sunday 1 December 2024 15:35 , Kieran Jackson“We were all just driving slowly. I wouldn’t know what I could have done differently,” he said.
“The fact that I have to go [to the stewards’ office] is already very strange to me. Otherwise, next time I’ll just drive flat out too and pretend to crash [into the other car].”
“He should have braked. I braked. Just like the cars in front of me. And I don’t want to screw them. I’m honestly a bit done with all of this at the end of the season.”
Constructors’ Championship ahead of Qatar Grand Prix:
Sunday 1 December 2024 15:30 , Kieran Jackson1. McLaren - 623 points
2. Ferrari - 593 points
3. Red Bull Racing - 556 points
4. Mercedes - 434 points
5. Aston Martin - 86 points
6. Haas - 52 points
7. Alpine - 49 points
8. RB - 46 points
9. Williams - 17 points
10. Sauber - 0 points
Oscar Piastri after qualifying P4:
Sunday 1 December 2024 15:22 , Kieran Jackson“We felt like we’d have good pace, everyone took a step and we just struggled to get much more out of it, I was happy with the lap we did. Walking away from that pretty happy with my performance.
“If we can win the race we’ll try and win the race. We’ll see what kind of race it is tomorrow.”
F1 Qatar GP LIVE: Jenson Button on who should replace Sergio Perez at Red Bull if Mexican is dropped
Sunday 1 December 2024 15:17 , Kieran Jackson“Liam [Lawson] is brand new, he’s not done a full season. For me Yuki [Tsunoda] would be the one who’s more ready in the role.”
Ferrari ‘really interested’ in signing current F1 driver for 2025 season
Sunday 1 December 2024 15:12 , Kieran JacksonZhou Guanyu says Ferrari are “really interested” in signing him up as a reserve driver for the 2025 season.
Ferrari have already confirmed their driver line-up for next year, with Lewis Hamilton replacing Carlos Sainz as Charles Leclerc’s teammate.
Chinese driver Zhou has been dropped by Sauber for 2025 after three years with the team. Both Zhou and Valtteri Bottas are departing, with Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto replacing them.
Full story below:
Ferrari ‘really interested’ in signing current F1 driver for 2025 season
F1 Qatar GP LIVE: Drivers Parade!
Sunday 1 December 2024 15:06 , Kieran Jackson
Driver Standings ahead of Qatar Grand Prix
Sunday 1 December 2024 15:00 , Kieran Jackson1. Max Verstappen - 404 points (champion)
2. Lando Norris - 347 points
3. Charles Leclerc - 323 points
4. Oscar Piastri - 276 points
5. Carlos Sainz - 264 points
6. George Russell - 223 points
7. Lewis Hamilton - 211 points
8. Sergio Perez - 152 points
9. Fernando Alonso - 62 points
10. Nico Hulkenberg - 37 points
11. Yuki Tsunoda - 30 points
12. Pierre Gasly - 26 points
13. Lance Stroll - 24 points
14. Esteban Ocon - 23 points
15. Kevin Magnussen - 14 points
16. Alex Albon - 12 points
17. Daniel Ricciardo - 12 points
18. Ollie Bearman - 7 points
19. Franco Colapinto - 5 points
20. Liam Lawson - 4 points
21. Zhou Guanyu - 0 points
22. Logan Sargeant - 0 points
23. Valtteri Bottas - 0 points
REVIEW: The never-ending legacy of Ayrton Senna continues in dynamic Netflix bio-drama
Sunday 1 December 2024 14:44 , Kieran JacksonThere’s something about sport, and the global fandom the lead protagonists generate, which triggers a propensity to hero-worship. Add to that the lives of fallen heroes, particularly those taken too soon, and the deep-rooted desire to remember and reminisce are intertwined with anniversaries and depictions in modern drama. Whether it be Netflix, Prime or Apple TV, they’re all at it.
Yet as 2024 nears its conclusion, there really can be no doubting the omnipresent legacy Brazilian idol Ayrton Senna left on the world.
Full piece below:
The never-ending legacy of Ayrton Senna continues in new Netflix drama
A reminder of the starting grid for the Qatar Grand Prix:
Sunday 1 December 2024 14:35 , Kieran Jackson1. George Russell
2. Max Verstappen*
3. Lando Norris
4. Oscar Piastri
5. Charles Leclerc
6. Lewis Hamilton
7. Carlos Sainz
8. Fernando Alonso
9. Sergio Perez
10. Kevin Magnussen
11. Pierre Gasly
12. Zhou Guanyu
13. Valtteri Bottas
14. Yuki Tsunoda
15. Lance Stroll
16. Alex Albon
17. Liam Lawson
18. Nico Hulkenberg
19. Franco Colapinto
20. Esteban Ocon
* Verstappen has been penalised one place for impeding Russell in qualifying
Lewis Hamilton after qualifying P6....
Sunday 1 December 2024 14:29 , Kieran Jackson“I can’t explain why I’m half-a-second off my teammate, it’s never happened before in my career. The car felt generally fine for me. There’s not much more I can add.
“I’m hoping with the changes we made we will have a bit more pace tomorrow.”
Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc after qualifying P5...
Sunday 1 December 2024 14:03 , Kieran Jackson“I felt like I did a really good job, both laps on the limit, but it was just not enough. We have to maximise the points on a weekend which has been difficult for us. Everything to play for in the race tomorrow.”
F1 Qatar GP LIVE: Sergio Perez after qualifying P9...
Sunday 1 December 2024 13:40 , Kieran Jackson“We made some good progress, which is positive. I hope that tomorrow we will have the pace in the race, we want to be scoring some good points.
“Hope we can go through the pack, the direction we went with the car was promising.”
What is the starting grid for the Qatar Grand Prix?
Sunday 1 December 2024 13:15 , Kieran Jackson1. George Russell
2. Max Verstappen*
3. Lando Norris
4. Oscar Piastri
5. Charles Leclerc
6. Lewis Hamilton
7. Carlos Sainz
8. Fernando Alonso
9. Sergio Perez
10. Kevin Magnussen
11. Pierre Gasly
12. Zhou Guanyu
13. Valtteri Bottas
14. Yuki Tsunoda
15. Lance Stroll
16. Alex Albon
17. Liam Lawson
18. Nico Hulkenberg
19. Franco Colapinto
20. Esteban Ocon
* Verstappen has been penalised one place for impeding Russell, the FIA said
Max Verstappen stripped of Qatar GP pole as FIA explains verdict
Sunday 1 December 2024 13:07 , Kieran JacksonMax Verstappen has been stripped of his pole position for the Qatar Grand Prix to elevate George Russell to top spot on the grid for the penultimate round of the season.
Verstappen looked to have scored his first pole in five months after he edged out Mercedes’ Russell by just 0.055 seconds at the Lusail International Circuit.
However, at 1:06 local time (10:06pm GMT), more than three hours after qualifying ended, it was confirmed that Verstappen had been penalised one place for impeding Russell as both drivers geared up for their final laps.
The sanction promoted Russell, who took a lights-to-flag victory in Las Vegas a week ago, to the front of the grid for Sunday’s 57-lap race.
Max Verstappen stripped of Qatar GP pole as FIA explains verdict
Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz after qualifying sixth:
Sunday 1 December 2024 11:00 , Kieran Jackson“It was tricky, we were still three-tenths off on pole, I missed a tow on the last lap, I think it’s more or less where we expected to be. The car is not at its best on a track like this.
“We need to keep it under control tomorrow, we’re still in that fight, there’ll be a lot going on.”
Constructors’ Championship ahead of Qatar Grand Prix:
Sunday 1 December 2024 10:00 , Kieran Jackson1. McLaren - 623 points
2. Ferrari - 593 points
3. Red Bull Racing - 556 points
4. Mercedes - 434 points
5. Aston Martin - 86 points
6. Haas - 52 points
7. Alpine - 49 points
8. RB - 46 points
9. Williams - 17 points
10. Sauber - 0 points
Lewis Hamilton admits he is ‘definitely not fast enough anymore’ after latest qualifying setback
Sunday 1 December 2024 07:00 , Kieran JacksonLewis Hamilton believes he is “definitely not fast enough anymore” after enduring another disappointing qualifying performance ahead of the Qatar Grand Prix.
In what is Hamilton’s penultimate weekend as a Mercedes driver before his switch to Ferrari, he qualified seventh for the sprint race at the Lusail International Circuit.
He recorded a time 0.399 seconds slower than teammate George Russell, who will start the race in second behind McLaren’s Lando Norris.
Full piece below:
Lewis Hamilton says he ‘doesn’t care’ after sprint race
Sunday 1 December 2024 06:00 , Kieran Jackson“I don’t have an answer,” he said when asked if they had learned anything to help them in the race.
“At this point. I really don’t care. I just want to get through these next couple of races and do my job, turn up and looking forward to the winter break.
“I woke up this morning, and I think the most important thing is to leave with gratitude. So I’m really, really grateful that I get to do what I love doing, even when there are days that I don’t love it as much, and I’m really, really so lucky to be here amongst all these other amazing athletes.”
Driver Standings ahead of the Qatar GP:
Sunday 1 December 2024 05:00 , Kieran Jackson1. Max Verstappen - 404 points (champion)
2. Lando Norris - 347 points
3. Charles Leclerc - 323 points
4. Oscar Piastri - 276 points
5. Carlos Sainz - 264 points
6. George Russell - 223 points
7. Lewis Hamilton - 211 points
8. Sergio Perez - 152 points
9. Fernando Alonso - 62 points
10. Nico Hulkenberg - 37 points
11. Yuki Tsunoda - 30 points
12. Pierre Gasly - 26 points
13. Lance Stroll - 24 points
14. Esteban Ocon - 23 points
15. Kevin Magnussen - 14 points
16. Alex Albon - 12 points
17. Daniel Ricciardo - 12 points
18. Ollie Bearman - 7 points
19. Franco Colapinto - 5 points
20. Liam Lawson - 4 points
21. Zhou Guanyu - 0 points
22. Logan Sargeant - 0 points
23. Valtteri Bottas - 0 points
Lando Norris after qualifying P3...
Saturday 30 November 2024 23:58 , Kieran Jackson“Not a surprise at all. When have they ever been bad all season?
“I think we can (fight for the win). As a qualifying car, we’re a little bit off. But I’m hoping it comes back to us in the race. “
Max Verstappen stripped of pole position
Saturday 30 November 2024 22:31 , Jamie BraidwoodExplaining their decision, the stewards said Max Verstappen was “driving unnecessarily slowly considering the circumstances” as he “attempted to cool his tyres” ahead of the lap in which he claimed pole.
BREAKING: Max Verstappen stripped of pole position
Saturday 30 November 2024 22:27 , Jamie BraidwoodMercedes driver George Russell has been promoted to pole position for the Qatar Grand Prix after Red Bull’s Max Verstappen was penalised one place for impeding his rival, the FIA has announced.
Explaining their decision, the stewards said Max Verstappen was “driving unnecessarily slowly considering the circumstances” as he “attempted to cool his tyres” ahead of the lap in which he claimed pole.
What time is the Qatar Grand Prix?
Saturday 30 November 2024 19:49 , Kieran JacksonTime GMT
Sunday 1 December
- Race: 4pm
F1 Qatar GP LIVE: Max Verstappen after finishing on pole...
Saturday 30 November 2024 19:48 , Kieran Jackson“Crazy! I did not expect that, well done to the team to give me a car which feels a bit more connected. I felt a lot better about there.
“We changed a bit on the car but I never thought it would make such a swing in performance. It felt a lot more stable over one lap. Very happy to be on pole, it’s been a while.
“It’s going to be a tough race physically and on the tyres. It’s all about managing that. It’s all very close behind, they were all quick.”
F1 Qatar GP LIVE: George Russell after qualifying second..
Saturday 30 November 2024 19:35 , Kieran Jackson“It’s been a great run, the last four qualifyings we’ve been on the front row everyone! Feeling in a groove at the moment, my first lap was one of the best I’ve ever done. Max pipped me, but the car has been so great the last two weekends.
On being blocked by Max: “I went through the gravel, hope it didn’t damage the floor. It was a hairy one two corners before we start the lap.”
“These have been great races for us. Pace in Vegas was true, the pace this weekend is real - it’s nice to be in the mix once again.”
F1 Qatar GP LIVE: Max Verstappen under investigation
Saturday 30 November 2024 19:27 , Kieran JacksonGeorge Russell believes Verstappen held him up, dangerously, on an out-lap.
It looked a bit close for comfort... but I think the Red Bull man should be fine!
Here’s the incident below:
"Super dangerous by Verstappen" 📻
— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) November 30, 2024
George Russell was NOT happy with Max Verstappen 😮 pic.twitter.com/2DY61rngQU
F1 Qatar GP LIVE: Lando Norris after qualifying P3...
Saturday 30 November 2024 19:23 , Kieran Jackson“Not the position we were hoping for but the maximum we could do, for sure. My lap was pretty good but just not quick enough.
“Everyone saw how close it was between all of us, not a lot in it! We showed good racepace today, I was in clean air, but I expect a tougher race tomorrow.”
F1 Qatar GP LIVE: TOP-10 IN QUALIFYING
Saturday 30 November 2024 19:12 , Kieran Jackson1. Max Verstappen - 1:20:520
2. George Russell - +0.055
3. Lando Norris - +0.252
4. Oscar Piastri - +0.309
5. Charles Leclerc - +0.332
6. Lewis Hamilton - +0.491
7. Carlos Sainz - +0.521
8. Fernando Alonso - +0.731
9. Sergio Perez - +0.905
10. Kevin Magnussen - +0.980
F1 Qatar GP LIVE: Max Verstappen on pole position!
Saturday 30 November 2024 19:03 , Kieran JacksonMax Verstappen claims pole! By less than a tenth to George Russell!
Bit of a shock and a turnaround from earlier today! His first pole since Austria in June!
3-10: Norris, Piastri, Leclerc, Hamilton, Sainz, Alonso, Perez, Magnussen
F1 Qatar GP LIVE: Norris backs off again!
Saturday 30 November 2024 18:59 , Kieran JacksonConfirmed: Norris will just have one more shot then!
Final quali laps coming right up here!
F1 Qatar GP LIVE: Max Verstappen goes P2!
Saturday 30 November 2024 18:56 , Kieran JacksonVerstappen goes quicker ahead of the final laps, to go second, just half-a-tenth down on Russell...
And Norris is actually going to go for two hot laps here!
4:00 to go in Q3...
F1 Qatar GP LIVE: George Russell on provisional pole!
Saturday 30 November 2024 18:54 , Kieran JacksonRussell sets the timesheet alight, to go fastest by three-tenths to Charles Leclerc - with Lewis Hamilton in third!
4-10: Sainz, Piastri, Magnussen, Perez, Verstappen, Norris, Alonso
Lando Norris opted to dive into the pits on his hot lap after almost losing it at turn 5! He’ll only have one more chance for pole...
6:00 to go in Q1...
F1 Qatar GP LIVE: Q3 underway!
Saturday 30 November 2024 18:47 , Kieran JacksonTime for the top-10 shootout - who will be on pole position in Qatar?!
10 drivers involved: Norris, Piastri, Verstappen, Perez, Sainz, Leclerc, Hamilton, Russell, Alonso, Magnussen
F1 Qatar GP LIVE: Sergio Perez just sneaks through!
Saturday 30 November 2024 18:42 , Kieran JacksonPerez is through by 0.012 seconds to Pierre Gasly!
Lewis Hamilton was P5 in the end!
Bottom-five and out in Q2 (11-15): Gasly, Zhou, Bottas, Tsunoda, Stroll
Top-3: Verstappen, Norris, Leclerc
F1 Qatar GP LIVE: Lewis Hamilton can’t improve
Saturday 30 November 2024 18:37 , Kieran JacksonHamilton stays in ninth after his second lap - will he need to go quicker?
Possibly so.
Current bottom-five (11-15): Bottas, Zhou, Tsunoda, Stroll, Alonso
Top-3: Norris, Verstappen, Russell
3:00 to go in Q2...
F1 Qatar GP LIVE: Fernando Alonso has a lap deleted
Saturday 30 November 2024 18:33 , Kieran JacksonFor exceeding track limits, Alonso’s lap is deleted - and he is P15 as a result.
Current bottom-five (11-15): Bottas, Zhou, Tsunoda, Stroll, Alonso
Lewis Hamilton not safe yet in P9, while Pierre Gasly impresses in P6 for Alpine!
7:00 to go in Q2...
F1 Qatar GP LIVE: Q2 underway!
Saturday 30 November 2024 18:25 , Kieran JacksonTime for the second phase of qualifying - 15 minutes where again we will lose the slowest five drivers before the top-10 shootout!
F1 Qatar GP LIVE: Alex Albon is out in Q1!
Saturday 30 November 2024 18:21 , Kieran JacksonAlex Albon knocked out right at the end by Yuki Tsunoda in a breathless end to Q1!
Nico Hulkenberg, who scored points in the sprint earlier, a surprise name in the bottom-five too!
Bottom-five and out in Q1: Albon, Lawson, Hulkenberg, Colapinto, Ocon
Top-3: Russell, Leclerc, Sainz
F1 Qatar GP LIVE: Alex Albon heading out!
Saturday 30 November 2024 18:15 , Kieran JacksonThe Williams driver needs a quick lap in the closing stages of Q1 here...
Current bottom-five (16-20): Hulkenberg, Albon, Zhou, Colapinto, Ocon
Top-3: Russell, Sainz, Norris
Sergio Perez living typically precariously in P11..
4:00 to go. Times continue to tumble...
F1 Qatar GP LIVE: George Russell quickest early on!
Saturday 30 November 2024 18:09 , Kieran JacksonRussell looking to set the tone straight away as he goes quickest by two-tenths to Max Verstappen in second.
Current bottom-five (16-20): Zhou, Lawson, Colapinto, Gasly, Ocon
Plenty of time for the bottom-five to change yet!
10:00 to go in Q1...
Click here to read the full blog on The Independent's website
