Qualifying for the Qatar Grand Prix has finished and that means we know which driver will start from pole position on Sunday at the Losail International Circuit. Lewis Hamilton was by far the fastest and will have to deal with Max Verstappen attacking him off the line.
Penalties for Verstappen, Bottas and Sainz?
It remains to be seen from which position Verstappen will start the race. He set the second fastest time on Saturday afternoon, but the 24-year-old Dutchman has yet to go before the stewards to clarify why he did not reduce his pace enough after the double yellow flag was waved.
A stroke of luck for Verstappen; rival Bottas is also expected at the stewards. He has also been summoned for the incident in Q3 when yellow flags were waved. Carlos Sainz is also expected to attend a meeting. The three drivers are expected in the room of the FIA from 10:00 to 10:45hrs (UK time). Shortly afterwards it will become clear whether grid penalties will be handed out.
If Verstappen doesn't get a penalty he will start on the dirty side of the track. Mercedes therefore seems to have the advantage in Qatar anyway, but Verstappen will do everything he can to prevent a victory for Lewis Hamilton. He may get help from Alpha Tauri. Pierre Gasly may be able to apply some pressure from the second row of the grid.
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Qatar GP start time
The Grand Prix of Qatar will start on Sunday from 14:00hrs (UK time). The finish is expected (without many safety cars and/or red flags) around 15:30hrs. The race can be followed live on GPblog.com.
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Friday 26.06.26
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Practice 2
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