RACE START REPLAY: Verstappen up to P4 as Hamilton keeps the lead on Lap 1 in Qatar
There was drama just over an hour before the start of the Qatar Grand Prix when Max Verstappen and Valtteri Bottas were both handed grid penalties for ignoring yellow flags in qualifying.
Verstappen saw his P2 grid slot become P7, while Bottas dropped from third to sixth – with Lewis Hamilton starting on pole.
But when the lights went out to start the race at the Losail International Circuit, Verstappen got a great start to get back up to P4 on the opening lap, as Hamilton held his lead at the front – while Bottas had a dreadful start, dropping a further five places to P11.
See how the opening lap unfolded in the video above, and follow all the action from the race in our live blog here.
Next Up
Related Articles
Verstappen confirms new number for 2026 season
End Of Year Reports 2025Alpine’s best and worst moments from 2025
ExclusiveVesti on life as Mercedes reserve and his F1 plan
10 ways to get your Formula 1 fix during the winter break
Winners & Losers5 Winners and 5 Losers from the 2025 season
11 times F1 drivers took another driver’s car number