Drivers were struggling with sunshine and sand due to the extreme conditions during Practice One at the Qatar GP.
World champion in waiting Max Verstappen topped the sole practice session at the Qatar Grand Prix as tough conditions left plenty of uncertainty heading into qualifying later on Friday. Red Bull's Verstappen, who needs just three more points to seal a third successive drivers' title, delivered a 1:27.428 to finish 0.3 seconds clear of Carlos Sainz, with the Spaniard's Ferrari team-mate a further tenth back in third.
George Russell was eighth, with team-mate Lewis Hamilton 13th as Mercedes opted to save soft tyres, while McLaren duo Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris were ninth and 10th respectively as they also set their best times on the medium compound.With Formula 1 returning to the Losail International Circuit almost two years on from Qatar's first Grand Prix in 2021, a new surface - and strong winds blowing sand onto it - made for an extremely challenging session.More to follow...
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