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      F1 Qatar Grand Prix LIVE RESULTS: Hamilton WINS but Verstappen jumps from seventh to second place – latest reaction

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      LEWIS HAMILTON will start the Qatar Grand Prix on pole after a superb drive in qualifying. The Mercedes star was at his best to see off the challenge of both Max Verstappen and teammate Valtteri Bottas.

      Race time: Sunday 2pm
      TV/Live stream: Sky Sports F1/NOW TV

      Follow all the latest with our live blog from Qatar below…
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      LEWIS HAMILTON WINS IN QATAR
      He slices Verstappen’s lead in the championship to just EIGHT points with two races to go.
      This is going down to the wire as Verstappen finishes second.
      Fernando Alonso first podium since the 2014 Hungarian GP.
      VIRTUAL SAFETY CAR
      Verstappen stops for tyres again. Free stop. Just to cover off the threat of Hamilton from trying to get it.
      VERSTAPPEN SETS THE FASTEST LAP
      The Dutchman is on for the bonus point here.
      LATIFI NOW GETS A PUNCTURE
      Cars failing left right and centre. Pirelli did say they would not last the distance.

      PUNCTURE FOR RUSSELL
      The gamble not to stop for a second time has backfired at Williams. Russell has a puncture.
      BOTTAS TOLD TO RETIRE THE CAR
      A miserable GP for the Finn, who is back in the team’s garage after a wretched race.
      10 LAPS TO GO
      It is Hamilton, Verstappen, Alonso, Norris, Perez.
      Could Alonso be on for a podium?
      HAMILTON PITS
      And the race leader pits too. He pits from the lead and returns to the track in the lead. He is crushing this GP.
      LAP 42 PEREZ STOPS FOR TYRES TOO
      The Mexican pits from third.

      LAP 42 VERSTAPPEN STOPS AGAIN
      A fresh set of tyres to get him to the end of the race.
      HAMILTON RADIOS HIS TEAM – A SLIGHT CONCERN?
      “Very small vibrations on my front tyre,” he says. He is nine seconds ahead of Verstappen.
      BOTTAS HAS A PUNCTURE
      He was running in third but had not stopped for fresh tyres. He slides off track and into the gravel.
      He made it back on track and trundled around, sparks flying from his Merc. Eventually he was passed by Perez.
      He limped back to the pits and now has a fresh set of tyres, but he is down in 14th

      MAX IS READY TO GO…
      He’s asked his engineer if he can “have a bit of fun” as he is “going to finish second anyway”.
      Tells you all you need to know about this race now, which is becoming a procession for Hamilton.
      SAINZ AND LECLERC IN FOURTH AND FIFTH
      That’s a solid result so far for Ferrari, who are looking to take third place in the constructors’ championship.
      HAMILTON HAS A WHOPPING LEAD
      Just 20 laps into this 57 lap race and he’s stopped for tyres and has a 8.6 second lead over Verstappen.
      Alonso, who has not even stopped yet, it a further 4.5 seconds behind the Dutchman.
      BOTH VERSTAPPEN AND HAMILTON HAVE STOPPED
      And yet they remain the front two cars in this race. That’s a free pitstop for both. It is only lap 19 of 57.
      It is Hamilton then Verstappen.
      HAMILTON NOW STOPS TOO
      Mercedes respond to the undercut from Red Bull to call in the race leader for fresh rubber.
      VERSTAPPEN STOPS FOR TYRES
      The Red Bull man makes his pitstop at the end of lap 17.
      BOTTAS HAS WOKEN UP
      The Finn who drinks about 10 espressos a day, has finally come alive. He’s passing everyone and in to sixth.
      PEREZ IS ALSO MAKING PROGRESS
      He is up to fifth.

      BOTTAS GETS A HURRY UP FROM THE BOSS
      Wolff is on the radio telling his man to pull his finger out. He’s been languishing in 11th place for 9 laps. He’s just overtaken Tsunoda for 10th.

      VERSTAPPEN IN SECOND
      It has taken him five laps to wipe up that grid penalty. He is now behind Hamilton, albeit four seconds behind.

      MAX IS BACK
      He is on the charge. He started seventh but is already up to third on lap 4.
      TV REPLAYS SHOW VERSTAPPEN AVOIDING ALONSO
      The Red Bull man was hard on the brakes to avoid hitting the Spaniard.
      GREAT START FROM HAMILTON
      He gets away cleanly. Verstappen gets right into the thick of things and some how makes it into fourth place.
      It is Hamilton, Alonso, Gasly, Verstappen, Norris…
      Load more entries… More

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      Hamilton narrows F1 championship gap to just EIGHT points with impressive victory at the Qatar GP and Verstappen second

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      LEWIS HAMILTON continued his superb form by clinching victory at the inaugural Qatari Grand Prix despite a determined Max Verstappen pursuit.Hamilton, 36, edged closer to winning back the top spot in the drivers’ championship standings win a second consecutive race win in Qatar.
      Hamilton won the inaugural Qatar Grand PrixCredit: Splash
      The seven-time world champion started on pole and got off to a strong start, showing his superior pace by maintaining his lead for the whole 57 laps.
      Hamilton defended his lead with an assured drive, never allowing rival Verstappen to get within five seconds of him.
      Verstappen got off to an excellent start by rising from seventh to second in just six laps, overtaking the likes of Pierre Gasly, Fernando Alonso and Lando Norris.
      And despite having a solid race, a near-perfect drive from Hamilton meant the Dutchman just couldn’t get near him, earning his 102nd Grand Prix win.
      The win was Hamilton’s seventh of the season and gives him the chance to seal his eighth world title with two more race wins in Saudi Arabia and Abu Dhabi.

      Lewis Hamilton celebrates his F1 victory at Brazil Grand Prix More

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      David Beckham risks angering F1 pal Lewis Hamilton as he poses with rival Max Verstappen’s Red Bull ahead of Qatar GP

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      DAVID BECKHAM has been snapped in the Red Bull garage alongside the car of his long-time pal Lewis Hamilton’s rival Max Verstappen.Beckham, 46, was pictured alongside drivers’ championship leader Max Verstappen’s car shortly before the start of the Qatar Grand Prix today.
      Beckham posed next to Verstappen’s Red Bull car prior to the Qatar GPCredit: Getty
      Both Beckham and Horner are married to former Spice GirlsCredit: Getty
      He could also be seen chatting to Red Bull team principal Christian Horner, who is married to Becks’ wife Victoria’s old Spice Girls bandmate Geri Halliwell.
      Beckham, a keen F1 fan, has struck up a close relationship with seven time world championship winner and fellow Brit Lewis Hamilton.
      And the relationship between Verstappen and Hamilton has soured drastically throughout the season as the two battle it out for this year’s championship.
      Becks’ support of Verstappen and Red Bull could anger his friend Hamilton, who started the Qatar GP on pole after some phenomenal driving in qualifying.
      Verstappen has been handed a five-place grid penalty for ignoring double yellow flag warnings, handing Hamilton a major title boost.
      The penalty means Verstappen started the GP in seventh, shortening the odds of another Hamilton triumph after his dramatic win at the Brazilian GP last week.

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      Verstappen starts the Qatar GP 14 points clear of Hamilton in the drivers’ standings and both will be desperate for a win with just three races to go.
      A victory for Hamilton in Qatar could mean this year’s title goes right down to the wire and Verstappen will focus on damage limitation to try and protect his lead.
      There’s very little separating the two currently and as it stands, the Abu Dhabi GP on 12 December is gearing up to be a dramatic climax to a thrilling season.
      Lewis Hamilton celebrates his F1 victory at Brazil Grand Prix More

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      Verstappen hit with FIVE-PLACE grid penalty for Qatar GP for ignoring yellow flags in major F1 title boost to Hamilton

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      LEWIS HAMILTON has been handed a huge boost in his F1 title defence after Max Verstappen was slapped with a FIVE-place grid penalty in Qatar.The Red Bull man will start today’s race in seventh place after the penalty for ignoring double yellow warning flags.
      Max Verstappen leads rival Lewis Hamilton in the driver standingsCredit: EPA
      The incident happened at the end of qualifying when Pierre Gasly suffered a tyre blowout on the finishing line.
      Stewards eventually got round to reviewing the incident and have taken the decision to penalise Verstappen.
      It means Hamilton, who starts on pole, can slice into Verstappen’s 14-point lead in the championship.
      Hamilton said: “Consistency is key. In Austria I got a three place penalty for a single yellow flag, which I did not see, so they have obviously stuck to the book.”
      Hamilton’s Mercedes team-mate, Valtteri Bottas will also be moved backwards after he too ignored the yellow flag.
      However, it was only one flag – not two – meaning he will be pushed back three places on the grid.

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      Red Bull boss Christian Horner was livid with the stewards’ decision to penalise his driver.
      He said: “We are struggling to understand it. There was a yellow flag, he (Verstappen) just didn’t see it.
      “It’s a rogue marshal that has stuck out a flag out. He wasn’t told to do so. This is a crucial blow in the world championship. It is massive!”
      Verstappen is clinging on to his narrow lead in the championship but admitted he was struggling for pace even before the yellow flag incident.
      His Red Bull team-mate Sergio Perez failed to make it into the final round of qualifying.
      Verstappen said afterwards: “I think we’re just lacking a bit of pace, it’s just been a bit more tricky for us.
      “Checo (Perez) is not even in Q3, so it shows that we are struggling a bit more than normal.”
      Lewis Hamilton celebrates his F1 victory at Brazil Grand Prix More

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      F1 Qatar Grand Prix: Live stream, TV channel, UK start time, race schedule as Verstappen looks to keep up lead

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      THIS will be the hottest race of the season on the track and on the thermometer.Formula One heads to Qatar this weekend as the 10 teams gear up for the 21st event of the year.
      Lewis Hamilton celebrated an outstanding victory in the Brazil GPCredit: Reuters
      Lewis Hamilton reduced the gap between himself and Max Verstappen last weekend after an incredible outing in Sao Paulo.
      The difference between the two rivals now only stands at 14 points.
      Meanwhile, there are only 11 points separating Red Bull and Mercedes in the Constructors Championship.
      Red Bull cheif Helmut Marko has expressed his concerns about the power of Hamilton’s car going into the final three races of the year, saying: “Despite the lead, I see us at a disadvantage if Hamilton maintains this engine advantage”.
      When is the F1 Qatar Grand Prix?

      What TV channel and live stream is the F1 Qatar Grand Prix on?

      The Grand Prix will be broadcast live on on Sky Sports F1 in the UK.
      Sky Sports F1 will be showing the full F1 schedule.
      Coverage on race day is expected to start at 12:30pm.
      You can live stream the action from the NOW TV or Sky Go apps, both of which are available to download onto your mobile or tablet device.

      🏁 F1 2021 calendar: practice times, dates and racetrack info
      What is the race schedule?
      Friday November 19:

      Practice One: 10:30am GMT
      Practice Two: 2:00pm GMT

      Saturday November 20:

      Practice Three: 11:00am GMT
      Qualifying: 2:00pm GMT

      Sunday November 21:

      Race: 2:00pm GMT More

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      Max Verstappen hints he’s being denied fair fight in race for F1 title after questioning Lewis Hamilton’s newfound speed

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      MAX VERSTAPPEN has hinted he is being denied a fair fight for the F1 title – questioning the legality of Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes.The Red Bull ace picked up a £43,000 fine for tampering with Hamilton’s rear wing in Brazil.
      Max Verstappen has questioned Lewis Hamilton’s newfound speed in a hint he’s being denied a fair shot at the F1 titleCredit: Reuters
      Verstappen has already been fined £43,000 for touching Hamilton’s car in BrazilCredit: Twitter
      And there is still suspicion over whether he believes the Merc is legal following a turnaround in results for the Brit.
      Red Bull are alarmed at how Mercedes have upped their top speed after reigning F1 champ Hamilton blasted his way to pole in Doha yesterday.
      When quizzed by SunSport if he was 100 per cent convinced that Hamilton’s car was legal, Verstappen said: “It is difficult to know fully, of course, not only moving forward but what has already been done and raced with previously.
      “We have footage from it so these things can get highlighted but let’s hope we will have a good battle until the end.”
      It comes after Red Bull boss Christian Horner asked Mercedes chief Toto Wolff about ‘score marks’ on his team’s wing, caused by the drag reduction system flap opening too wide.
      Horner said his team were ready to launch a protest against Merc’s car, opening a murky investigation process that could see the title decided in the stewards’ room.

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      Verstappen will be hauled in front of the stewards today after he failed to slow down for waved double-yellow flags during qualifying.
      TV footage showed him ignoring the warnings that Pierre Gasly’s car had stopped on the track after a tyre blowout.
      Hamilton was hit with a similar accusation at the Austrian GP in 2020 and was slapped with a three-place grid penalty.
      If the same happens to Verstappen, he will then be demoted from second on the grid to start in fifth place.
       Stewards took five days to reject Mercedes’ appeal for a review of the flashpoint in Sao Paulo, when Verstappen appeared to force Hamilton wide.
      Drivers met with the FIA in Doha on Friday night but Hamilton says he confused as to what drivers are – and crucially are not – allowed to do.
      He said: “Every driver was asking for clarity but it wasn’t very clear. It is still not clear what the limits of the track are.
      “It is clearly not the white line any more when overtaking, so we just go for it.
      “We just ask for consistency so if it’s the same for the last race for us in those scenarios, then it is fine.”
      When asked if he could be more aggressive, Hamilton replied: “I would assume so, yes.”
      Meanwhile the seven-time world champion says he will continue to wear his Progress Pride rainbow flag in Saudi Arabia next month.
      Lewis Hamilton celebrates his F1 victory at Brazil Grand Prix More

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      Max Verstappen could face three-place grid penalty for Qatar GP in huge boost to Lewis Hamilton’s chances

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      MAX VERSTAPPEN is facing a grid penalty for tomorrow’s Qatar GP for failing to slow down for warning flags.The Red Bull man continued to hammer on the throttle during qualifying, despite TV replays showing waved yellow flags to warn that Pierre Gasly had stopped on track due to a tyre blowout.
      Max Verstappen could be hit with a grid penalty for the Qatar GPCredit: Getty
      Verstappen, who qualified in second behind title rival Lewis Hamilton, would now likely face a grid drop if found guilty by the stewards.
      In another bizarre day of FIA incompetence, the stewards failed to reach a swift decision, inexcusably delaying the decision until the following day.
      Having taken FIVE DAYS to reject Merc’s appeal for a reevaluation of Verstappen’s block in Brazil, they have now added another perplexing delay, taking the sting out of this title race.
      If ever there was a reason for F1 to employ permanent officials, like in other sports, now is the time.
      Vertsappen is now at the mercy of their decision making, which threatens to derail his title challenge further.
      He currently has a 14 point advantage over the Brit, who has built up a head of steam thanks to improved speed from his Merc, which has left Red Bull baffled.

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      While there is no set punishment for Verstappen’s failure to slow, when Hamilton was found guilty of a similar offence in Austria in 2020, he was demoted three grid places.
      Should Verstappen be served the same fate, then it means he will start the race in fifth place, having qualified in second.
      Meanwhile, Hamilton’s title defence is alive and kicking after the seven-time champion put his Mercedes on pole in Qatar.
      Hamilton said after jumping out of his car: “That last lap was beautiful. It was a really sweet lap. This track is amazing to drive. Woo, it felt good!”
      Verstappen was less enthusiastic as he said: “I think we’re just lacking a bit of pace, it’s just been a bit more tricky for us.
      “Checo (Perez) is not even in Q3, so it shows that we are struggling a bit more than normal.”

      Lewis Hamilton celebrates his F1 victory at Brazil Grand Prix More

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      Lewis Hamilton leaves Max Verstappen in his wake as he takes pole position amid F1 cheating claims at Qatar Grand Prix

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      LEWIS HAMILTON’S title defence is alive and kicking after the seven-time champion put his Mercedes on pole for the Qatar Grand Prix.The Brit produced a flier to go fastest under the lights as F1 visited the Losail International Circuit for the first time ever.
      Lewis Hamilton went fastest under the lights in QatarCredit: Getty
      And Sunday’s race promises to be a thriller after championship leader Max Verstappen made it onto the front row alongside his title rival.
      There is plenty of reason for Red Bull fans to be nervous though after their man was almost half a second slower than the flying leader.
      Hamilton said after jumping out of his car: “That last lap was beautiful. It was a really sweet lap. This track is amazing to drive. Woo, it felt good!”
      Verstappen was less enthusiastic as he said: “I think we’re just lacking a bit of pace, it’s just been a bit more tricky for us.
      “Checo (Perez) is not even in Q3, so it shows that we are struggling a bit more than normal.”
      Mercedes team-mate Valtteri Bottas was third-fastest, while Pierre Gasly was a surprise package as he put his AlphaTauri fourth.

      Hamilton trails Verstappen by just 14 points in the driver standingsCredit: Getty
      Verstappen leads Hamilton by just 14 points in the driver standings as the F1 season heads for its gripping conclusion.
      The Dutchman saw his championship lead cut as arch rival Hamilton snatched a sensational victory at the Brazilian Grand Prix last weekend.
      The Mercedes superstar recovered from a penalty to spring to victory from 10th on the grid at the storied Interlagos circuit.
      And there is bad blood because of it going into Sunday’s Qatar race after the two clashed in Sao Paulo. 
      Merc were left fuming after Verstappen appeared to force their driver off the road as he hunted an overtake on lap 48.
      The stewards saw nothing wrong and refused to dish out any penalties over the incident at the time.
      Max Verstappen was almost half a second slower than the BritCredit: Reuters
      Red Bull are struggling for pace in the Middle EastCredit: Getty
      And this week Merc saw an appeal against that decision booted out by unimpressed F1 officials in Qatar.
      Red Bull have in turn threatened to lodge their own complaint – this time questioning the legality of the lightning-quick Mercedes car.
      Team boss Christian Horner refused to mince his words ahead of this weekend’s crucial race.
      He declared: “The straight line performance in the last two Grands Prix has gone exponential and that concerns us.
      “Make no bones about it, if we see it on the car here it will be protested. If we believe the Mercedes car is not in compliance, we will protest.”
      It is all adding up to a tense finale as the F1 season enters its final Middle Eastern swing.
      Lewis Hamilton celebrates his F1 victory at Brazil Grand Prix More