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
ExclusiveVesti on life as Mercedes reserve and his F1 plan
ExclusiveHow Norris made his school teachers ‘enormously proud’
Tremayne'Why I’ll always have a soft spot for Sauber'
GALLERY: Check out renders of the innovative 2026 car
Everything you need to know about F1's new rules for 2026
WATCH: F1 Animated returns for a look back at 2025