F1 Qatar Grand Prix LIVE: Follow all the latest in Hamilton vs Verstappen tussle (2025)

21st Nov 2021, 16:53By Joshua Mbu

THE QAT'S PYJAMAS

Lewis Hamilton continued his superb form by clinching victory at the inaugural Qatari Grand Prix despite a determined Max Verstappen pursuit, writes GEORGE MOORE.

Hamilton, 36, edged closer to winning back the top spot in the drivers' championship standings with a second consecutive race win in Qatar.

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 ENTIRE 57 laps.

Hamiltondefended his lead with an assured drive, never allowing rival Verstappen to get within five seconds of him, despite conceding the fastest lap.

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 to earn his 102nd Grand Prix win meant the Dutchman just couldn't get near him.

The win wasHamilton'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.

21st Nov 2021, 15:39By Joshua Mbu

LEW BEAUTY

Lewis Hamilton has closed the gap to just eight points in the drivers championship with a couple races to go.

He's hunting an eighth world title.

21st Nov 2021, 14:03By Justin Lawrence

HAPPY MAX

Max Verstappen is happy with his performance in the Qatar GP despite losing to Lewis Hamilton.

He said: “I’m of course happy with the result today. This weekend has been quite difficult for us as a Team and we are still lacking pace, I tried everything I could after the five-place grid penalty so to finish in second and score the fastest lap is really good.

"I had an exciting start and I knew that the first few laps were really important, I had a good launch and I was fairly quickly back in to second place, from there I tried to keep the gap small and that worked out quite well.

“I had fun today, especially when going for the fastest lap. It’s a shame that Checo didn’t make it to the podium today, he scored good points for the Team.

"I’m also happy for Fernando, we all know how good he is, there’s no doubt about that. For now, we need to stay focused, there are still two races left to go and a lot of things can happen, anything is possible.”

21st Nov 2021, 12:59By Justin Lawrence

SUPER HAMILTON

Lewis Hamilton turned in a "superhero" performance in Qatar after his victory pulled him back in the F1 title race.

The seven-time world champion won convincingly in Doha to slash Max Verstappen's advantage from 19 to eight points in the last two races.

The brilliant Brit was cheered on by David Beckham in the desert after bouncing back from a disqualification in qualifying last out in Brazil.

Merc boss Toto Wolff hailed his driver's turn around in form to crank up the pressure on rivals Red Bull.

He said: "They woke up the lion on Saturday in Interlagos [after being disqualified for a broken rear wing].

"He is absolutely on it and brutal. He's cold-blooded and on it, this is the best Lewis we have seen in the past, and he is right there.

"When adversity happens, then it takes him to a place where he is able to mobilise superhero powers. It was the adversity that triggered that in Interlagos.

"I never stopped believing this championship was on. Everyone in the team refuses to give up and I am grateful with how the championship has gone.

"I hope it goes all the way to the end and whoever wins will deserve to win."
Hamilton is now eager to get going again in Saudi Arabia in two week's time before the finale in Abu Dhabi a week later.

21st Nov 2021, 11:55By Justin Lawrence

WOLFF CRY

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff is happy that Lewis Hamilton won the Qatar GP although Max Verstappen nicked a point for the fastest lap.

Speaking to Sky Sports F1, Wolff said: "The initial feeling is bittersweet.

"Both championships are so important now. Lewis was great, the one point is a bit annoying, but it's great he won the race. And the good news is the car is really fast and seemed in a happy spot.

"He controlled the race from the front and that's a good indication for what's to come in Saudi Arabia and Abu Dhabi."

21st Nov 2021, 10:28By Ben Hunt

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.

21st Nov 2021, 10:26By Ben Hunt

VIRTUAL SAFETY CAR

Verstappen stops for tyres again. Free stop. Just to cover off the threat of Hamilton from trying to get it.

21st Nov 2021, 10:24By Ben Hunt

VERSTAPPEN SETS THE FASTEST LAP

The Dutchman is on for the bonus point here.

21st Nov 2021, 10:20By Ben Hunt

LATIFI NOW GETS A PUNCTURE

Cars failing left right and centre. Pirelli did say they would not last the distance.

21st Nov 2021, 10:19By Ben Hunt

PUNCTURE FOR RUSSELL

The gamble not to stop for a second time has backfired at Williams. Russell has a puncture.

21st Nov 2021, 10:18By Ben Hunt

BOTTAS TOLD TO RETIRE THE CAR

A miserable GP for the Finn, who is back in the team's garage after a wretched race.

21st Nov 2021, 10:14By Ben Hunt

10 LAPS TO GO

It is Hamilton, Verstappen, Alonso, Norris, Perez.

Could Alonso be on for a podium?

21st Nov 2021, 10:06By Ben Hunt

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.

21st Nov 2021, 10:05By Ben Hunt

LAP 42 PEREZ STOPS FOR TYRES TOO

The Mexican pits from third.

21st Nov 2021, 10:05By Ben Hunt

LAP 42 VERSTAPPEN STOPS AGAIN

A fresh set of tyres to get him to the end of the race.

21st Nov 2021, 10:03By Ben Hunt

HAMILTON RADIOS HIS TEAM - A SLIGHT CONCERN?

"Very small vibrations on my front tyre," he says. He is nine seconds ahead of Verstappen.

21st Nov 2021, 09:55By Ben Hunt

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

21st Nov 2021, 09:48By Ben Hunt

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.

21st Nov 2021, 09:43By Ben Hunt

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.

21st Nov 2021, 09:35By Ben Hunt

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.

21st Nov 2021, 09:32By Ben Hunt

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.

21st Nov 2021, 09:31By Ben Hunt

HAMILTON NOW STOPS TOO

Mercedes respond to the undercut from Red Bull to call in the race leader for fresh rubber.

21st Nov 2021, 09:30By Ben Hunt

VERSTAPPEN STOPS FOR TYRES

The Red Bull man makes his pitstop at the end of lap 17.

21st Nov 2021, 09:29By Ben Hunt

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.

21st Nov 2021, 09:25By Ben Hunt

PEREZ IS ALSO MAKING PROGRESS

He is up to fifth.