F1 Qatar Grand Prix LIVE: Race reaction and results as Max Verstappen wins

A furious George Russell lashed out at Lewis Hamilton following a dramatic crash with his Mercedes team-mate at the very first corner of Sunday’s Qatar Grand Prix.

Max Verstappen, crowned champion of the world for a third time following Saturday’s sprint, started his title parade by racing to his 14th win from the 17 rounds so far. McLaren’s Oscar Piastri followed up his victory in Saturday’s 19-lap dash by taking second place while his McLaren team-mate Lando Norris completed the podium.

But Verstappen’s emphatic win and McLaren’s continued resurgence played second fiddle to Hamilton’s crash with Russell which left the seven-time world champion in the gravel. Russell fought back from last to fourth.

Hamilton, third on the grid, attempted to drive round the outside of Russell, one starting place higher, and pole-sitter Verstappen in a gung-ho bid for glory.

Follow reaction from the Qatar Grand Prix with The Independent

F1 QATAR GRAND PRIX - LIVE

• Max Verstappen wins the Qatar Grand Prix

• Click HERE for the top-10

• LAP 1/57: Lewis Hamilton and George Russell collide, Hamilton OUT of the race

• Carlos Sainz did not start the race due to a fuel system issue

• Verstappen was crowned the 2023 champion during the Saturday sprint race

• Verstappen breaks unique 40-year F1 streak after title win in Qatar

Charles Leclerc:

21:44 , Kieran Jackson

“It was the hardest race of my career. The heat was absolutely crazy. It’s difficult to put into words how difficult it was. It starts to be on the limit for some drivers so we need to be careful.”

Leclerc finished fifth this evening. A lot of drivers complaining about the heat in Lusail.

Esteban Ocon after the race:

21:31 , Kieran Jackson

“I was throwing up. Lap 16, for two laps, I was like s*** it’s going to be a long one. I’ve never had that in the past, I’ve always been able to do two race distances in the car. Today was the hot air, how hot the engine is behind the car.

“It was honestly horrible. Hardest ever four points from my side.”

Lewis Hamilton after the race:

21:24 , Kieran Jackson

Christian Horner on Sergio Perez:

21:18 , Kieran Jackson

“He’s had a bit of a shocker of a race. Without the penalties, you can add 15 seconds to his time. A missed opportunity to try and cement that second place. We need to get that form back, we know he’s got it within him.

“He’s got in a bit of a spiral, he needs to put the breaks on that, reset, and really attack it.

“We really need Checo to get in that window, it’s not this year so much but next year when we need to fire on all cylinders.

“We have a contract with Sergio, we’re not seeing the best from him, we’re going to support him as much as we can.”

Lewis Hamilton and George Russell collide as Max Verstappen wins in Qatar

20:58 , Kieran Jackson

Race report

A furious George Russell lashed out at Lewis Hamilton following a dramatic crash with his Mercedes team-mate at the very first corner of Sunday’s Qatar Grand Prix.

Max Verstappen, crowned champion of the world for a third time following Saturday’s sprint, started his title parade by racing to his 14th win from the 17 rounds so far.

McLaren’s Oscar Piastri followed up his victory in Saturday’s 19-lap dash by taking second place while his McLaren team-mate Lando Norris completed the podium.

But Verstappen’s emphatic win and McLaren’s continued resurgence played second fiddle to Hamilton’s crash with Russell which left the seven-time world champion in the gravel. Russell fought back from last to fourth.

Full report below:

Lewis Hamilton and George Russell collide as Max Verstappen wins in Qatar

George Russell:

20:43 , Kieran Jackson

On Hamilton: “We both had the possibility of standing on the podium. Nothing intentional both ways. We’ve both got so much respect for one another, I’m sure we’ll speak. It was a very difficult situation.

On conditions: “It was insane how hot it was. It was like an oven. Huge challenge. I sometimes train in sauna and you push your body to the limit and you want to get out, it was lap 12 how I felt. In the cockpit it’s near 50C. Fireproof layer, race suit, hot air coming from the cars, you can’t cool down, your drink system is hot. It’s like a hairdryer blowing in your face for an hour and a half.”

“Borderline too much, pretty crazy, but we’re doing what we love.

Time for the podium!

20:30 , Kieran Jackson

For the 14th time this season, the Dutch and Austrian national anthems ring out on the podium!

Max Verstappen after finishing first:

20:17 , Kieran Jackson

“What made the race was my first stint. The McLarens were quick again today, a tough race out there.

“I’m already sweating quite a bit. We’ll enjoy it tonight. We design cars to be good on tyres, today we couldn’t optimise that, but we can see what we can improve in the future.”

Oscar Piastri after finishing second:

20:05 , Kieran Jackson

“Really impressive pace, definitely the hardest race I’ve had in my life. It was hot, with the three stops it was basically flat out. Felt like 57 qualifying laps.”

Lando Norris:

19:53 , Kieran Jackson

“Mega race from start to finish. I learned from my mistakes yesterday, good start and good pace.

“Probably the best pace out there today, I’m happy. Three in a row now for the team. 1.8 sec pit stop as well for the boys!

“One of the hardest races I’ve done. Congrats to Oscar, no mistakes, and to Max as well.”

Oscar Piastri:

19:44 , Kieran Jackson

TOP-10 IN THE QATAR GRAND PRIX

19:38 , Kieran Jackson

1) Max Verstappen

2) Oscar Piastri

3) Lando Norris

4) George Russell

5) Charles Leclerc

6) Fernando Alonso

7) Esteban Ocon

8) Valtteri Bottas

9) Zhou Guanyu

10) Sergio Perez

Max Verstappen wins the Qatar Grand Prix

19:33 , Kieran Jackson

It’s another super victory for Max Verstappen - he wins on the weekend he became a three-time world champion!

Oscar Piastri comes home in second, with Lando Norris in third - another superb weekend for McLaren.

4-10: Russell, Leclerc, Alonso, Ocon, Bottas, Perez, Zhou

Max Verstappen leads heading into the final lap (Lap 57/57)

19:31 , Kieran Jackson

Verstappen has a five-second lead to Oscar Piastri as he closes in on another win this season.

Norris just outside DRS range to his team-mate, while George Russell is really losing some time in fourth....

Max Verstappen pits (Lap 53/57)

19:26 , Kieran Jackson

A slow pit stop for Verstappen, 4.1 secs, and he comes out just four seconds ahead of Oscar Piastri in second!

He should have enough in reserve, though...

1-10: Verstappen, Piastri, Norris, Russell, Leclerc, Zhou, Alonso, Ocon, Bottas, Gasly

Sergio Perez down in P12.

Five to go in Lusail..

George Russell pits (Lap 51/57)

19:25 , Kieran Jackson

Russell, who also looks to be struggling physically, pits for a fourth time to switch to softs. He’s down to fourth.

A lot of the drivers looking to lift their visors when possible to get some air... it’s tough out there.

Lando Norris told to hold position (Lap 48/57)

19:18 , Kieran Jackson

Norris’ engineer: “We’re going to hold position.”

Norris: “Why would we want to do that? I’m clearly a lot quicker...”

Interesting...

Norris and Piastri pit (Lap 45/57)

19:16 , Kieran Jackson

It’s tight... but Oscar Piastri just stays ahead of his team-mate after their pit stops!

George Russell now up to P2, though will drop back when he takes his third and final pit stop.

Meanwhile out in front, Max Verstappen has lapped his team-mate Sergio Perez.

Logan Sargeant retires (Lap 42/57)

19:10 , Kieran Jackson

“I’m sorry guys,” he says.

It’s too much for Logan Sargeant. He calls it a day 15 laps from the end, due to feeling unwell.

Feel for him.

Sergio Perez receives another five-second penalty (Lap 40/57)

19:07 , Kieran Jackson

“That’s another five-second penalty for track limits, this is hurting our race,” says Perez’s race engineer Hugh Bird.

Perez down in P9. The Mexican is really having a hard time of it at the moment...

Logan Sargeant not feeling well (Lap 36/57)

19:02 , Kieran Jackson

Ah poor Logan.... the American says over the radio he isn’t feeling well and while James Vowles says he should come in to retire, Sargeant insists he’s staying out.

The Williams man in dead last in 18th. It’s very hot in Qatar tonight, so we can only assume that’s brought it on!

Max Verstappen pits (Lap 35/57)

19:01 , Kieran Jackson

A 2.5 sec stop for Max Verstappen and he comes out eight seconds ahead of Oscar Piastri;Lando Norris is four seconds further back in third.

4-10: Russell, Zhou, Leclerc, Alonso, Bottas, Stroll, Ocon

Fernando Alonso goes off track! (Lap 34/57)

18:58 , Kieran Jackson

Alonso drops behind Charles Leclerc as he veers off track at turn 2!

The Spaniard went through the gravel after spinning off!

The Aston Martin then rejoins the track off the escape road, quite erratically!

That may be looked at... he’s now down to seventh.

Lando Norris pits (Lap 29/57)

18:52 , Kieran Jackson

And Norris comes out in front of Alonso! Superior pace from the McLaren, both in the pits and on track!

And it was a season-record 1.8 sec pit stop for Norris... the quickest pit stop since these new 18-inch tyres were introduced at the start of last year!

Piastri, meanwhile, up to fourth. Russell and Perez second and third respectively, but both need to pit again soon.

1-10: Verstappen, Russell, Perez, Piastri, Albon, Zhou, Norris, Alonso, Bottas, Stroll

Oscar Piastri pits (Lap 27/57)

18:48 , Kieran Jackson

Oscar Piastri and Fernando Alonso both pitting for their second stops, with Lando Norris now up in second.

Sergio Perez, in fourth, has been given a five-second penalty for exceeding track limits at least four times.

Ah dear, Checo.

Max Verstappen retakes the lead (Lap 21/57)

18:40 , Kieran Jackson

Verstappen cruising out in front then, with a 7.3 second lead to Oscar Piastri. The Aussie has a 4.8 sec lead to Fernando Alonso in third, with the front three order restored.

4-10: Norris, Leclerc, Ocon, Gasly, Russell, Perez, Tsunoda

Lewis Hamilton, talking after his first-lap retirement:

18:39 , Kieran Jackson

“I just feel really sorry for the team. Had chance today to get some good points. Heat of the moment, didn’t understand what happened but I don’t think George had anywhere to go.

“I’m happy to take responsibility for it.

“It’s massively gutting to have a result like this. It’s very rare that this happens, I hope George is able to get back into the points.”

Max Verstappen pits (Lap 18/57)

18:35 , Kieran Jackson

The race leader dives into the pits - he has to! - and comes out behind new race leader Alex Albon!

However, the Williams has to pit in this lap. More importantly, Verstappen came out around eight seconds ahead of Piastri - a comfortable lead for the 2023 champion.

Oscar Piastri pits (Lap 13/57)

18:28 , Kieran Jackson

A 3.1 second pit stop for the Australian, and he’s out in front of Fernando Alonso!

The Spaniard then tussles with Charles Leclerc but stays out in front!

When will Max Verstappen dive in?

Fernando Alonso pits (Lap 12/57)

18:25 , Kieran Jackson

Fernando Alonso is the first of the front three to pit, staying on mediums, and comes out all the way down in 15th!

Oscar Piastri now coming in too...

Max Verstappen opens up a two-second lead (Lap 10/57)

18:24 , Kieran Jackson

Usual order restored at the front, with Max Verstappen stretching his lead to over two seconds.

But... when will he pit? Who will blink first? They all have to come in before lap 19...

George Russell, meanwhile, already up in the points - he’s ninth!

Top-10: Verstappen, Piastri, Alonso, Leclerc, Norris, Gasly, Hulkenberg, Albon, Russell, Sargeant

George Russell overtakes Sergio Perez (Lap 6/57)

18:19 , Kieran Jackson

Russell makes the move stick this time, around the outside of the Red Bull! He’s up to 13th!

Meanwhile, Oscar Piastri on the verge of DRS behind Max Verstappen - can the McLaren stay in touch with the Dutchman?

Max Verstappen leads (Lap 5/57)

18:16 , Kieran Jackson

King of the safety car restart Max Verstappen gets a jump on Oscar Piastri at the start as we resume racing!

Further back, George Russell makes a move on Sergio Perez in 13th and they almost touch, but Perez stays in front!

Quite the first five laps for Russell!

New top-10:

18:12 , Kieran Jackson

Incidentally, it’s lap four but we’re still behind the safety car.

1-10: Verstappen, Piastri, Alonso, Leclerc, Ocon, Norris, Gasly, Tsunoda, Hulkenberg, Albon

Safety car coming in at the end of this lap...

Hamilton and Russell crash!

18:11 , Kieran Jackson

For me, Lewis Hamilton is at fault here.

George Russell had nowhere to go!

Hamilton almost made the move stick, it was tight, but he clipped his team-mate as opposed to the other way round!

Lewis Hamilton:

18:09 , Kieran Jackson

“Yeah I got taken out by my own team-mate!”

Wow.

George Russell on team radio:

18:08 , Kieran Jackson

“Come on! What the hell! Two races in a row!”

George Russell not happy on team radio. He’s pitted for a new nose, but is now in dead last!

Lewis Hamilton and George Russell take each other out!

18:06 , Kieran Jackson

Unbelievable!

Lewis Hamilton gets a great start and tries to take his team-mate around the outside, but the Mercedes pair touch!

Hamilton is OUT of the race, beeched in the gravel, with Russell having damage but continuing...

Max Verstappen stays in front, with Oscar Piastri up in second!

SAFETY CAR!

Lewis Hamilton gloomy from the outset here!

18:03 , Kieran Jackson

“I’m a sitting duck to these guys,” says Lewis Hamilton over team radio on the formation lap.

Come on Lewis, it’s not even started yet!

Formation lap!

18:01 , Kieran Jackson

Max Verstappen leads the rest of the pack around the Lusail Circuit for the formation lap!

Most of the frontrunners on medium tyres, with Lewis Hamilton in third on softs.

Sergio Perez on the pit lane is the only driver on hard tyres.

Starting grid for the Qatar Grand Prix:

17:58 , 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

11) Yuki Tsunoda

13) Alex Albon

14) Nico Hulkenberg

15) Logan Sargeant

16) Lance Stroll

17) Liam Lawson

18) Kevin Magnussen

19) Zhou Guanyu

20) Sergio Perez (pit lane)

*Carlos Sainz, who qualified 12th, will not start the race due to a fuel system issue.

F1 Qatar Grand Prix LIVE!

17:55 , Kieran Jackson

We’re just five minutes away from lights out in a very hot and humid Qatar!

A reminder: each driver will be required to make a minimum of three pit stops, due to concerns over tyre wear around the Lusail Circuit. That’s a maximum of 18 laps per stint.

Should make it a fascinating watch!

George Russell:

17:53 , Kieran Jackson

“It’s a very long race, we don’t know how these three stops are going to turn out.

“Go out there, focus on my job, if we get a chance to go for the front then we’ll take it.”

P2 for Russell. Can he get a jump on Verstappen?

Mo Farah is also in Qatar!

17:52 , Kieran Jackson

Driver Standings after Saturday sprint race:

17:50 , Kieran Jackson

1) Max Verstappen - 407 points

2) Sergio Perez - 223 points

3) Lewis Hamilton - 194 points

4) Fernando Alonso - 175 points

5) Carlos Sainz - 153 points

6) Charles Leclerc - 135 points

7) Lando Norris - 121 points

8) George Russell - 120 points

9) Oscar Piastri - 65 points

10) Lance Stroll - 47 points

11) Pierre Gasly - 46 points

12) Esteban Ocon - 38 points

13) Alex Albon - 23 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

Lando Norris:

17:48 , Kieran Jackson

“We’re quick, the car is quick, it’s about executing it - overtaking at the right time and not killing the tyres. We have a good plan.

“We have good pace, we’ll wait and see.”

The McLaren man starts 10th on the grid.

Time for the Qatar national anthem!

17:47 , Kieran Jackson

Performed by the Qatar Philiharmonic Orcheastra at the Lusail Circuit!

Sonny Bill Williams is present on the grid in Qatar!

17:43 , Kieran Jackson

Race odds!

17:40 , Kieran Jackson

Fancy a flutter?

Winner Odds:

Max Verstappen - 1/6

George Russell - 10/1

Lewis Hamilton - 12/1

Lando Norris - 14/1

Oscar Piastri - 22/1

Fernando Alonso - 28/1

Charles Leclerc - 66/1

Sergio Perez - 100/1

Pierre Gasly, Esteban Ocon - 125/1

Odds provided by King Casino Bonus

Max Verstappen hails third F1 world title as his best

17:32 , Kieran Jackson

Max Verstappen hailed his third Formula One world title as the finest of his career – and vowed to celebrate by downing a few sparkling waters.

The 26-year-old Dutchman has emulated Sir Jackie Stewart and Ayrton Senna after being crowned a triple world champion with six grands prix still remaining – equalling Michael Schumacher’s 21-year-old record.

Red Bull’s Verstappen has dominated Formula One since he beat Lewis Hamilton to clinch his maiden championship at the deeply controversial season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in 2021.

Max Verstappen hails third F1 world title as his best

BREAKING: Carlos Sainz to miss Qatar Grand Prix in huge Ferrari blow

17:22 , Kieran Jackson

Carlos Sainz will not start the Qatar Grand Prix due to a fuel system issue with his Ferrari car.

The Spanish driver qualified only 12^th on the grid but will not even start the race at the Lusail Circuit on Sunday.

Ferrari mechanics were working frantically to fix the issue but it seems to no avail, with the team confirming just under an hour before lights out that Sainz will not take part.

Carlos Sainz to miss Qatar Grand Prix in huge Ferrari blow

Starting grid for the Qatar Grand Prix:

17:15 , 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

11) Yuki Tsunoda

12) Carlos Sainz

13) Alex Albon

14) Nico Hulkenberg

15) Logan Sargeant

16) Lance Stroll

17) Liam Lawson

18) Kevin Magnussen

19) Zhou Guanyu

20) Sergio Perez (pit lane)

Carlos Sainz could MISS the Qatar Grand Prix

17:11 , Kieran Jackson

Oh dear. A fuel leak could be curtains for Sainz before the race has begun!

Max Verstappen’s best moments as he wins 2023 F1 world title

17:09 , Kieran Jackson

Max Verstappen has clinched his third world championship.

The most one-sided Formula One campaign of recent memory was dominated by the Dutch driver.

Max Verstappen’s best moments as he wins 2023 F1 world title

BREAKING: Three pit stops mandatory

17:02 , Kieran Jackson

The FIA has confirmed that all drivers will be obliged to make at least three pit stops during Sunday’s Qatar Grand Prix amid “safety” concerns over tyre wear.

There will be a maximum amount of laps of 18 per tyre stint.

Driver Standings after Saturday sprint race:

16:59 , Kieran Jackson

1) Max Verstappen - 407 points

2) Sergio Perez - 223 points

3) Lewis Hamilton - 194 points

4) Fernando Alonso - 175 points

5) Carlos Sainz - 153 points

6) Charles Leclerc - 135 points

7) Lando Norris - 121 points

8) George Russell - 120 points

9) Oscar Piastri - 65 points

10) Lance Stroll - 47 points

11) Pierre Gasly - 46 points

12) Esteban Ocon - 38 points

13) Alex Albon - 23 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

The drivers parade is just coming to an end in Qatar!

16:52 , Kieran Jackson

Max Verstappen breaks unique 40-year F1 streak after title win in Qatar

16:44 , Kieran Jackson

Max Verstappen has become just the fifth driver in Formula 1 history to clinch the world title on a Saturday – and the first in 40 years.

The Dutchman, who has won every grand prix bar three this season, sealed his third straight world title after Sergio Perez crashed in the sprint race at the Qatar Grand Prix on Saturday, leaving his team-mate unable to catch him with six races and two sprints to go.

Verstappen has been unstoppable throughout 2023 and, despite his dislike of the sprint race format, secured his 2023 crown in the 100km dash around the Lusail International Circuit on Saturday night.

It marks the end of a streak dating back to 1983 of drivers clinching the world title on a Sunday, the traditional day of a grand prix race.

The unique 40-year F1 streak broken by Max Verstappen after title win in Qatar

Look who’s in Qatar!

16:34 , Kieran Jackson

Lando meets Becks.

Christian Horner after Max Verstappen sealed the world title:

16:28 , Kieran Jackson

“Max is the most competitive driver I’ve ever met, the determination he drives with and the abundance of skill he has - he’s up there with the very, very best.

“This season has surpassed anything we’ve seen - we did a lot of winning with Sebastian but this has taken it to yet another level. He’s only 26 and he’ll still only get better, evolve and get better as a driver.

“The self-belief to go out and deliver is quite outstanding. His ability to be at one with the car, that self-belief is absolutely standout.”

Max Verstappen hails third F1 world title as his best

16:16 , Kieran Jackson

Max Verstappen hailed his third Formula One world title as the finest of his career – and vowed to celebrate by downing a few sparkling waters.

The 26-year-old Dutchman has emulated Sir Jackie Stewart and Ayrton Senna after being crowned a triple world champion with six grands prix still remaining – equalling Michael Schumacher’s 21-year-old record.

Red Bull’s Verstappen has dominated Formula One since he beat Lewis Hamilton to clinch his maiden championship at the deeply controversial season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in 2021.

Max Verstappen hails third F1 world title as his best

Starting grid for the Qatar Grand Prix:

16:09 , 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

11) Yuki Tsunoda

12) Carlos Sainz

13) Alex Albon

14) Nico Hulkenberg

15) Logan Sargeant

16) Lance Stroll

17) Liam Lawson

18) Kevin Magnussen

19) Zhou Guanyu

20) Sergio Perez (pit lane)

Max Verstappen seals 2023 F1 world title during Qatar sprint race

16:06 , Kieran Jackson

Max Verstappen has won the 2023 F1 world championship after Sergio Perez crashed in the sprint race at the Qatar Grand Prix on Saturday night.

Red Bull driver Verstappen, 26, has won an astonishing 13 out of 16 races this season as well as two of the four sprint races, which includes a memorable 12-race (including sprints) win streak from Miami in May to Italy in September.

Needing to only finish in the top-six to seal the title in the shortened 100km dash at the Lusail International Circuit on Saturday night, Verstappen now cannot be caught by second-placed team-mate Sergio Perez with six races and two sprints to go, after Perez crashed in the sprint.

Max Verstappen seals 2023 F1 world championship in Qatar

F1 Qatar Grand Prix LIVE:

16:04 , Kieran Jackson

Good afternoon and welcome to live coverage of the Qatar Grand Prix with The Independent!

Max Verstappen clinched his third world title yesterday after finishing second in the sprint race, with Oscar Piastri victorious for the first time in Formula 1.

Verstappen starts on pole today - can anyone stop the Dutchman?

Stay right here for all the build-up - the race starts at 6pm (BST).