HIGHLIGHTS: Verstappen heads the two Ferraris in slippery and sandy FP1

Max Verstappen kicked off his Qatar Grand Prix weekend in style, as he went fastest in FP1. It’s the perfect start for the Red Bull driver who could secure his third drivers’ title in a row in tomorrow’s Sprint.

The Ferrari duo of Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc were second and third respectively – despite the latter querying a strange engine noise at one point in the pits – in a session that proved challenging for drivers thanks to the sand.

FP1: Verstappen leads Sainz and Leclerc in busy sole practice session at the Qatar Grand Prix weekend

Grip was at a premium for many as the sand, combined with the wind, made the conditions hugely testing, with a number of drivers having wide moments at Turn 4 at the Lusail International Circuit.

With that in mind, qualifying later on could prove to be a highly eventful occasion with drivers at the limit while trying to avoid mistakes.

Click on the video above to catch all the highlights from the first – and only – practice session of the Qatar Grand Prix weekend.