F1 Qatar GP LIVE: Race reaction as Verstappen vents fury at Russell after penalty drama
F1 race reaction as Verstappen wins in Qatar and Lando Norris drops down the field after a late penalty
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Your support makes all the difference.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.
Christian Horner on Verstappen’s penalty:
“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...
“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!
Performed by the Qatar Music Academy Choir!
F1 Academy champion Abbi Pulling:
“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:
“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:
1. 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:
“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
“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
Zhou 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
Ferrari have already announced their 2025 driver line-up of Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton
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