F1 Qatar GP Live Commentary and Updates - FP1
Minute-by-minute updates for FP1 for the 2024 Formula 1 Qatar Grand Prix
Max Verstappen arrives in Qatar with his fourth drivers' championship secured, but aware of the significant challenge to help Red Bull to overcome McLaren and Ferrari in the constructors' race.
F1 visits Qatar for only the third time, but in cooler temperatures and with the kerbs flattened significantly, there is plenty to learn in the sole hour of practice on the final sprint weekend of the year.
Who will set the early pace? FP1 gets under way in Losail at 13:30GMT.
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Anyway, enough about all that, practice is upon us. The sun is setting on the track, it is a bit blowy but dry and warm - and very representative conditions for the sprint race tomorrow which starts at 2pm GMT.
Elsewhere, further trouble is brewing at the FIA following two more high profile departures in recent weeks. Full story here.
Simone Resta, on the left, checking out his old team now in Mercedes kit. He only started with the team in October and it was a bit of a shock seeing him with such a different look.
While off the track, earlier this week an 11th team was officially announced with the General Motors-backed Cadillac team joining from 2026.
Watch: How Cadillac Got Their Spot On The 2026 F1 Grid
Verstappen's world title celebrations in Las Vegas have just about faded down, and the hangovers have cleared, as focus turns to the world constructors' championship fight:
McLaren: 608
Ferrari: 584
Red Bull: 555
All to play for!
Hello one and all! Here we go again - we're just 15 minutes away from the start of opening practice for the Qatar GP. This weekend is the sixth and final sprint race too, so it is just the single, one-hour practice session before sprint qualifying.
By: Autosport Staff
