F1 Qatar Grand Prix LIVE: Qualifying updates and results as Max Verstappen starts on pole
Max Verstappen took pole position for Sunday’s Qatar Grand Prix as the indomitable Dutchman closes in on his third world title.
Verstappen will be crowned champion of the world if he finishes at least sixth in Saturday’s 19-lap race at the Lusail International Circuit. And the Red Bull driver started his quest to become just the 11th driver in history to win the title on more than two occasions in typically irresistible fashion by clocking the fastest time in qualifying.
In terms of the championship mathematics, Verstappen’s pole lap for Sunday’s main event will be redundant if he secures three points in Saturday’s sprint – the starting order for which will be determined by a second qualifying session here on Saturday afternoon – or Sergio Perez fails finish inside the top three. The probability of both are high.
As Verstappen raced to top spot, with George Russell and Lewis Hamilton securing second and third on the grid for Mercedes, Perez failed to make it out of Q2.
Follow live updates from the Qatar Grand Prix with The Independent
F1 QATAR GRAND PRIX - QUALIFYING
Max Verstappen on pole position for the Qatar Grand Prix
Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri have final lap times deleted
Carlos Sainz and Sergio Perez out in Q2, also out: Tsunoda, Albon, Hulkenberg
Lance Stroll knocked out in Q1, also out: Sargeant, Lawson, Magnussen, Zhou
Verstappen was quickest in first practice; Sainz 2nd; Leclerc 3rd
PREVIEW: How Qatar plans to make F1 grand prix their ‘new World Cup’
Lance Stroll shoves personal trainer and gives furious seven-word interview in Qatar
20:20 , Kieran Jackson
Lance Stroll pushed his personal trainer in the Aston Martin garage and was visibly furious in his interview following qualifying at the Qatar Grand Prix on Friday.
The Canadian had just been knocked out in Q1 of qualifying and will start Sunday’s grand prix in 17th place.
But as he emerged from his car in the garage, the 24-year-old walked to the back of the garage before seeming to shove his personal trainer in front of the cameras.
His anger was clear to see and was still visible in his interview afterwards.
Full story below:
Lance Stroll shoves personal trainer and gives furious seven-word interview in Qatar
Lewis Hamilton after qualifying P3:
20:09 , Kieran Jackson
“Not massively [saitsfied]. Great for the team to be on the first two rows, difficult at the beginning of the session but tricky conditions out there with the wind. A pretty average session for me.
“I’ll give it everything, it’s great we’re ahead of the Ferraris. I’ll try and back up George.”
Lando Norris after qualifying P10:
19:55 , Kieran Jackson
“Pi**ed off! I just messed it up. I think about the job I do today and not make mistakes but that’s what I did today!”
Another angry interview!
"Not a good day for me" 💬
Lando Norris reacts to his time being delated for track limits which pushed him off the front row and into 10th for the Qatar Grand Prix 👇 pic.twitter.com/uA3caDjJop— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) October 6, 2023
TOP-10 FOR THE QATAR GRAND PRIX:
19:36 , Kieran Jackson
1) Max Verstappen
2) George Russell
3) Lewis Hamilton
4) Fernando Alonso
5) Charles Leclerc
6) Oscar Piastri
7) Pierre Gasly
8) Esteban Ocon
9) Valtteri Bottas
10) Lando Norris
Oscar Piastri has had his lap time DELETED!
19:25 , Kieran Jackson
Oh no! In the middle of his interview for coming third, Oscar Piastri has his lap time deleted!
And Naomi Schiff informed him mid-interview!
Oscar Piastri after qualifying third:
19:22 , Kieran Jackson
“It’s been a very different experience this weekend compared to Suzuka. Very slippery track, we’ll try our best. Hopefully we can have another crack at it and have a good sprint day.”
George Russell:
19:14 , Kieran Jackson
“It was a really tricky day today, new tarmac and super windy. The lap times were a mess but it was good fun, really happy to be P2.
“Lando and the McLarens are really quick, we need to be consistent and go from there.”
Lando Norris has his lap time DELETED!
19:08 , Kieran Jackson
It’s down to P10 from P2 for Lando Norris!
Lap time deleted for exceeding track limits.
“I am so s*** sometimes!” he says.
Max Verstappen on pole for the Qatar Grand Prix!
19:04 , Kieran Jackson
Max Verstappen didn’t even need to set another time - his 1:23:778 is enough for pole!
Lando Norris P2 but it looked like he went over the white line on his final flying lap...
George Russell puts in an impressive lap for P3, with Oscar Piastri fourth and Lewis Hamilton fifth.
6-10: Alonso, Leclerc, Gasly, Ocon, Bottas
Max Verstappen first ahead of final laps
19:00 , Kieran Jackson
It’s now or never for the pack here - can anyone usurp Max Verstappen?
They’re all out there for their final flying laps...
Max Verstappen quickest after first set of laps
18:56 , Kieran Jackson
And Max Verstappen has half a second between himself and P2, currently occupied by Lewis Hamilton.
George Russell P3 in a solid first showing from the Mercedes pair, while Lando Norris has a lap time deleted for exceeding track limits.
4-10: Piastri, Leclerc, Ocon, Alonso, Gasly, Bottas, Norris
Five minutes to go....
Q3 underway!
18:50 , Kieran Jackson
Who will be on pole position for the Qatar Grand Prix?
10 drivers involved in Q3: Verstappen, Leclerc, Russell, Hamilton, Norris, Piastri, Ocon, Gasly, Bottas, Alonso
A very angry Lance Stroll in the garage...
18:49 , Kieran Jackson
“Yeah s***.
“I don’t know”
“Keep driving”
A seven-word interview from Lance Stroll after his Q1 elimination. Footage looks to show the Canadian shove his personal trainer out the way too!
Carlos Sainz out in Q2!
18:43 , Kieran Jackson
Carlos Sainz is OUT! Only P12 for the Ferrari man!
Sergio Perez also out with his lap time deleted, he’s P13! A nightmare for the Red Bull No 2!
Current bottom-five (11-15): Tsunoda, Sainz, Perez, Albon, Hulkenberg
Valtteri Bottas sneaks through in 10th!
Carlos Sainz still in bottom-five
18:39 , Kieran Jackson
Now or never for Carlos Sainz! He’s P14 heading into the final two minutes...
Current bottom-five (11-15): Ocon, Albon, Hulkenberg, Sainz, Bottas
Sergio Perez hovering in P9, McLaren one-two at the moment too!
Max Verstappen quickest in first half of Q2
18:34 , Kieran Jackson
With a 1:24:758, Max Verstappen is top of the timesheets, with George Russell second and Lewis Hamilton third.
Current bottom-five (11-15): Sainz, Bottas, Ocon, Norris, Albon
Nico Hulkenberg currently the main in danger in P10. Seven minutes to go.
Q2 underway!
18:27 , Kieran Jackson
Now onto Q2 where we will find out who the 10 drivers will be competing for pole position at the end of qualifying!
The clock starts counting down from 15 minutes...
Alex Albon knocks his team-mate Logan Sargeant out of qualifying!
18:22 , Kieran Jackson
Alex Albon through to Q2 by 0.092 seconds, knocking his team-mate down to P16... and OUT!
Bottom-five (16-20) and out in Q1: Sargeant, Stroll, Lawson, Magnussen, Zhou
Nervy for Lewis Hamilton too, in P14!
Top-3: Verstappen, Norris, Alonso
Lewis Hamilton 12th with two minutes to go
18:18 , Kieran Jackson
Bit precarious for the 2021 winner in Qatar - Lewis Hamilton 12th ahead of the final two minutes of Q1.
Current bottom-five (16-20): Lawson, Hulkenberg, Stroll, Zhou, Magnussen
2 to go!
Lando Norris currently P20!
18:16 , Kieran Jackson
Lando Norris has gone from fastest to slowest after having his lap time deleted!
Also in the bottom-five (16-20): Zhou, Albon, Lawson, Magnussen, Norris
Sergio Perez hovering dangerously in P13, with Alonso, Russell and Hamilton the top three.
Five minutes to go... expect the order to change dramatically.
Lando Norris quickest early on
18:08 , Kieran Jackson
Lando Norris fastest with a 1:26:043, but the times will tumble here as the track surface improves.
Max Verstappen describes George Russell as an “idiot” for getting in his way a bit on a hot lap.
Track limits could be an issue here - Lance Stroll the first driver to have a lap time deleted due to going over the white line.
11 minutes to go - still a handful of drivers yet to set laps.
F1 qualifying at the Qatar Grand Prix!
18:01 , Kieran Jackson
So a reminder that this is qualifying for Sunday’s grand prix and has no impact on tomorrow’s ‘sprint day’ in Qatar!
It’s 31C in Lusail, with the temperatures having cooled from the earlier practice session. Time for action!
Q1 underway...
What does Max Verstappen need to be world champion?
17:55 , Kieran Jackson
It’s quite simple – Verstappen only needs three more points between now and the end of the season in Abu Dhabi.
Recent history suggests that will come in the next race, which is the Saturday sprint race (100km dash) around the Lusail International Circuit in Qatar. As a result, Verstappen only needs to finish sixth or higher – regardless of where Perez finishes – to secure his third-straight world title.
Though an unlikely set of circumstances, a seventh-place finish would be enough if Perez comes second, while eighth would also secure the title if Perez finishes third.
Verstappen could secure the world title without scoring in the points, too. If Perez finishes fourth or lower in the sprint race, Verstappen will be the champion regardless of where he finishes.
If Perez wins the sprint and Verstappen fails to score a point (top eight-finish), then Verstappen would still be crowned champion if he finishes eighth or higher during Sunday’s Qatar Grand Prix.
Verstappen will leave Qatar as the champion if he has a points advantage of 146 points or more.
Driver Standings ahead of the Qatar Grand Prix weekend
17:52 , Kieran Jackson
1) Max Verstappen - 400 points
2) Sergio Perez - 223 points
3) Lewis Hamilton - 190 points
4) Fernando Alonso - 174 points
5) Carlos Sainz - 150 points
6) Charles Leclerc - 135 points
7) Lando Norris - 115 points
8) George Russell - 115 points
9) Oscar Piastri - 57 points
10) Lance Stroll - 47 points
11) Pierre Gasly - 46 points
12) Esteban Ocon - 38 points
13) Alex Albon - 21 points
14) Nico Hulkenberg - 9 points
15) Valtteri Bottas - 6 points
16) Zhou Guanyu - 4 points
17) Yuki Tsunoda - 3 points
18) Kevin Magnussen - 3 points
19) Liam Lawson - 2 points
20) Logan Sargeant - 0 points
21) Nyck de Vries - 0 points
22) Daniel Ricciardo - 0 points
How Qatar plans to make F1 grand prix their ‘new World Cup’
17:46 , Kieran Jackson
Preview by Kieran Jackson
At the Lusail International Circuit, home to the second iteration this weekend of Formula 1’s Qatar Grand Prix, a reminder of the country’s crowning moment glows bright in the background.
The Lusail Iconic Stadium, the 88,000-capacity golden bowl which hosted last year’s World Cup final, is less than 10 miles down the road. But with the planet’s biggest show having come and gone – with its fair share of acclaim and criticism – Qatari executives are determined to move on. A new spectacle is in town.
“We are the new World Cup for the next 10 years,” boldly stated Amro Al-Hamad, CEO of the Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation, earlier this year.
Full piece below:
How Qatar plans to make F1 grand prix their ‘new World Cup’
Can anyone stop Max Verstappen tonight?
17:41 , Kieran Jackson
He was three-tenths quicker than anyone else in practice - but can someone pull off a shock and stop Max?
Constructors’ Championship ahead of the Qatar GP weekend:
17:31 , Kieran Jackson
1) Red Bull - 623 points
2) Mercedes - 305 points
3) Ferrari - 285 points
4) Aston Martin - 221 points
5) McLaren - 172 points
6) Alpine - 84 points
7) Williams - 21 points
8) Haas - 12 points
9) Alfa Romeo - 10 points
10) AlphaTauri - 5 points
Fernando Alonso lauds Max Verstappen as best F1 driver since Michael Schumacher
17:23 , Kieran Jackson
Fernando Alonso has hailed Max Verstappen as Formula One’s best driver since Michael Schumacher – with the Dutchman on the brink of clinching his third world crown.
The 26-year-old needs to score only three points in Saturday’s sprint race in Qatar to complete a hat-trick of world titles.
Lewis Hamilton has won a record 103 races and stands on seven world titles with Schumacher. But Alonso, 42, omitted the British driver when asked if Verstappen must now be ranked alongside the sport’s modern-day greats.
Full quotes below:
Fernando Alonso lauds Max Verstappen as best F1 driver since Michael Schumacher
Driver Standings ahead of the Qatar Grand Prix weekend
17:10 , Kieran Jackson
1) Max Verstappen - 400 points
2) Sergio Perez - 223 points
3) Lewis Hamilton - 190 points
4) Fernando Alonso - 174 points
5) Carlos Sainz - 150 points
6) Charles Leclerc - 135 points
7) Lando Norris - 115 points
8) George Russell - 115 points
9) Oscar Piastri - 57 points
10) Lance Stroll - 47 points
11) Pierre Gasly - 46 points
12) Esteban Ocon - 38 points
13) Alex Albon - 21 points
14) Nico Hulkenberg - 9 points
15) Valtteri Bottas - 6 points
16) Zhou Guanyu - 4 points
17) Yuki Tsunoda - 3 points
18) Kevin Magnussen - 3 points
19) Liam Lawson - 2 points
20) Logan Sargeant - 0 points
21) Nyck de Vries - 0 points
22) Daniel Ricciardo - 0 points
How Qatar plans to make F1 grand prix their ‘new World Cup’
16:58 , Kieran Jackson
Preview by Kieran Jackson
At the Lusail International Circuit, home to the second iteration this weekend of Formula 1’s Qatar Grand Prix, a reminder of the country’s crowning moment glows bright in the background.
The Lusail Iconic Stadium, the 88,000-capacity golden bowl which hosted last year’s World Cup final, is less than 10 miles down the road. But with the planet’s biggest show having come and gone – with its fair share of acclaim and criticism – Qatari executives are determined to move on. A new spectacle is in town.
“We are the new World Cup for the next 10 years,” boldly stated Amro Al-Hamad, CEO of the Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation, earlier this year.
Full piece below:
How Qatar plans to make F1 grand prix their ‘new World Cup’
George Russell believes 2021 title is more satisfying for Max Verstappen
16:44 , Kieran Jackson
George Russell believes Max Verstappen’s imminent third world title will carry less satisfaction than his 2021 championship triumph over Lewis Hamilton because he has not been cornered into a proper fight.
The imperious Dutchman, in his all-conquering Red Bull machine, has failed to win just three of the 16 rounds so far, and he is expected to sew up his latest championship in Saturday’s sprint round in Qatar. A sixth-placed finish in the 19-lap dash round the Lusail International Circuit is all he needs.
Verstappen saw off Hamilton in a title battle for the ages two years ago before following up his controversial maiden world crown with a second last year.
But on the eve of his third coronation, Russell, labelled a “d*******” by Verstappen after an on-track row in Azerbaijan earlier this year, said the lack of firm competition has allowed his rival to excel.
Full quotes below:
George Russell believes 2021 title is more satisfying for Max Verstappen
Mercedes chief on 2024 plans:
16:16 , Kieran Jackson
"I think we're on a very good path" ⏩
James Allison explains Mercedes' developments for 2024 🔧 pic.twitter.com/I176EkJ8ix— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) October 6, 2023
FP1 CLASSIFICATION
15:51 , Kieran Jackson
Verstappen leads the Ferraris after our first hour of action 👀#QatarGP #F1Sprint pic.twitter.com/lB9h66XOPq
— Formula 1 (@F1) October 6, 2023
Max Verstappen fastest in FP1!
15:34 , Kieran Jackson
The championship leader storms to the top of the leaderboard with a 1:27:428, with Carlos Sainz in second - three-tenths back - and Charles Leclerc third.
4-10: Alonso, Perez, Tsunoda, Hulkenberg, Russell, Piastri, Norris
Lewis Hamilton down in P13, but did not use the soft tyre.
Plenty switching to softs to finish the session
15:26 , Kieran Jackson
Some final qualifying simulation runs to finish this hour session, with both Red Bulls among those to switch to the quickest tyre.
Fernando Alonso shoots up to P1 with five minutes to go...
Charles Leclerc fastest with 15 to go...
15:17 , Kieran Jackson
Sun is setting in Lusail and the lights are on around the Lusail International Circuit!
Charles Leclerc is at the top of the timesheet with a 1:28:104, with Oscar Piastri two-tenths back in second and Lando Norris in third.
4-10: Alonso, Sainz, Verstappen, Gasly, Russell, Hamilton, Ocon
Anything Lando can do...
15:13 , Kieran Jackson
It is not a good day for the marker boards out there as Max takes out the 100 💯 pic.twitter.com/awW8INiqHV
— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) October 6, 2023
Fernando Alonso quickest after 30 mins
15:01 , Kieran Jackson
Slowly but surely, the times are tumbling as the sand clears off the track and the drivers get to grips with the circuit.
Fernando Alonso is fastest after half the session, with his 1:28:624 on mediums four-tenths quicker than Charles Leclerc in second. Max Verstappen is P3.
4-10: Russell, Norris, Ocon, Stroll, Sainz, Hamilton, Perez
Lando Norris goes straight through a marker board!
14:48 , Kieran Jackson
That marker board stood no chance 😅 pic.twitter.com/BEbBngelP1
— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) October 6, 2023
Dusty and slippery in Qatar!
14:43 , Kieran Jackson
All the cars spraying up dust as if its rain in the pit lane and on the track! Hopefully the track will improve as the session progresses...
“Oh my god it’s so slippery!” said Verstappen. Nonetheless, he’s fourth-quickest early on - with Lewis Hamilton fastest with a 1:31:279, three-tenths clear of George Russell.
“Yeah my dad would do good in these conditions,” says Sainz, whose dad was a two-time world rally champion!
Carlos Sainz has an issue early on
14:36 , Kieran Jackson
Carlos Sainz, just a few minutes into the session, being told not to push due to an issue with his Ferrari.
Sensor issue.
FP1 underway!
14:32 , Kieran Jackson
We’re up and running with the Qatar Grand Prix weekend!
It’s windy, dusty and sandy for this session which will give the 20 drivers just one hour to get up to speed ahead of grand prix qualifying later!
First practice at the Qatar Grand Prix!
14:27 , Kieran Jackson
It’s hot in the desert as the drivers take to the track for their one and only practice session of the weekend!
For six of the 20 drivers, it’s a brand new track, having not appeared on the 2022 calendar. So they will have to get up to speed quickly around this high-speed Lusail Circuit!
Constructors’ Championship ahead of the Qatar GP weekend:
14:22 , Kieran Jackson
1) Red Bull - 623 points
2) Mercedes - 305 points
3) Ferrari - 285 points
4) Aston Martin - 221 points
5) McLaren - 172 points
6) Alpine - 84 points
7) Williams - 21 points
8) Haas - 12 points
9) Alfa Romeo - 10 points
10) AlphaTauri - 5 points
What does Max Verstappen need to be world champion?
14:14 , Kieran Jackson
It’s quite simple – Verstappen only needs three more points between now and the end of the season in Abu Dhabi.
Recent history suggests that will come in the next race, which is the Saturday sprint race (100km dash) around the Lusail International Circuit in Qatar. As a result, Verstappen only needs to finish sixth or higher – regardless of where Perez finishes – to secure his third-straight world title.
Though an unlikely set of circumstances, a seventh-place finish would be enough if Perez comes second, while eighth would also secure the title if Perez finishes third.
Verstappen could secure the world title without scoring in the points, too. If Perez finishes fourth or lower in the sprint race, Verstappen will be the champion regardless of where he finishes.
If Perez wins the sprint and Verstappen fails to score a point (top eight-finish), then Verstappen would still be crowned champion if he finishes eighth or higher during Sunday’s Qatar Grand Prix.
Verstappen will leave Qatar as the champion if he has a points advantage of 146 points or more.
Fernando Alonso lauds Max Verstappen as best F1 driver since Michael Schumacher
13:59 , Kieran Jackson
Fernando Alonso has hailed Max Verstappen as Formula One’s best driver since Michael Schumacher – with the Dutchman on the brink of clinching his third world crown.
The 26-year-old needs to score only three points in Saturday’s sprint race in Qatar to complete a hat-trick of world titles.
Lewis Hamilton has won a record 103 races and stands on seven world titles with Schumacher. But Alonso, 42, omitted the British driver when asked if Verstappen must now be ranked alongside the sport’s modern-day greats.
Full quotes below:
Fernando Alonso lauds Max Verstappen as best F1 driver since Michael Schumacher
What is the race schedule this weekend?
13:42 , Kieran Jackson
(All times BST)
Friday 6 October
Free practice 1: 2:30pm
Qualifying: 6pm
Saturday 7 October
Sprint shootout: 2pm
Sprint race: 6:30pm
Sunday 8 October
Race: 6pm
PREVIEW: How Qatar plans to make F1 grand prix their ‘new World Cup’
13:29 , Kieran Jackson
Preview by Kieran Jackson
At the Lusail International Circuit, home to the second iteration this weekend of Formula 1’s Qatar Grand Prix, a reminder of the country’s crowning moment glows bright in the background.
The Lusail Iconic Stadium, the 88,000-capacity golden bowl which hosted last year’s World Cup final, is less than 10 miles down the road. But with the planet’s biggest show having come and gone – with its fair share of acclaim and criticism – Qatari executives are determined to move on. A new spectacle is in town.
“We are the new World Cup for the next 10 years,” boldly stated Amro Al-Hamad, CEO of the Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation, earlier this year.
Full piece below:
How Qatar plans to make F1 grand prix their ‘new World Cup’
Driver Standings ahead of the Qatar Grand Prix weekend
13:24 , Kieran Jackson
1) Max Verstappen - 400 points
2) Sergio Perez - 223 points
3) Lewis Hamilton - 190 points
4) Fernando Alonso - 174 points
5) Carlos Sainz - 150 points
6) Charles Leclerc - 135 points
7) Lando Norris - 115 points
8) George Russell - 115 points
9) Oscar Piastri - 57 points
10) Lance Stroll - 47 points
11) Pierre Gasly - 46 points
12) Esteban Ocon - 38 points
13) Alex Albon - 21 points
14) Nico Hulkenberg - 9 points
15) Valtteri Bottas - 6 points
16) Zhou Guanyu - 4 points
17) Yuki Tsunoda - 3 points
18) Kevin Magnussen - 3 points
19) Liam Lawson - 2 points
20) Logan Sargeant - 0 points
21) Nyck de Vries - 0 points
22) Daniel Ricciardo - 0 points
How can Max Verstappen win 2023 world championship in Qatar?
13:21 , Kieran Jackson
Max Verstappen only needs to finish in the top six in the Saturday sprint race at the Qatar Grand Prix to secure the 2023 F1 drivers’ title.
The Red Bull driver has dominated this season, winning 13 of the 16 races as well as two of the three sprints.
He most recently won in Japan, having previously failed to finish on the podium for the first time in 2023 after a mysterious drop in performance in Singapore.
Nonetheless, Verstappen’s current total of 400 points puts him 177 points clear of team-mate Sergio Perez with 180 points left on the table.
Here’s how Verstappen can secure title No 3 in Qatar:
How can Max Verstappen win 2023 F1 world championship in Qatar?
F1 qualifying at the Qatar Grand Prix!
13:18 , Kieran Jackson
Good afternoon and welcome to live coverage of the Qatar Grand Prix with The Independent!
F1 is back with the fourth sprint weekend of the season as the sport returns to the Lusail International Circuit, which first held a race in 2021. Lewis Hamilton was victorious back then, but it’s all about Max Verstappen this weekend.
The Dutchman can clinch his third straight world title with a top six finish in tomorrow’s sprint race but today, it’s practice and then qualifying for Sunday’s main event!
First practice is at 2:30pm (BST), with qualifying later on at 6pm!
