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How Friday practice for the F1 Qatar Grand Prix unfolded

 

An as-it-happened account of Formula 1 practice for the 2021 Qatar Grand Prix.

The 2021 Formula 1 season is nearing its conclusion as it races at the Losail International Circuit in Qatar.

A last-minute addition to the F1 calendar, Qatar forms the final part of this latest triple-header with the battle for supremacy finely poised.

Lewis Hamilton’s spectacular weekend in Sao Paulo saw him cut Max Verstappen’s lead to 14 points with three rounds to go.

Mercedes extended its lead over Red Bull to 11 points, while Ferrari now sits 31.5 points clear of McLaren in the race for third.

The Qatar circuit consists of mostly medium speed corners with a long start-finish straight. 

Overtaking will be difficult but qualifying will be a real spectacle.

The remainder of the 2021 F1 calendar: 

Qatar Grand Prix - November 21

Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - December 5

Abu Dhabi Grand Prix - December 12

Reporting by Connor McDonagh
Key Moments
15:28
Lewis Hamilton wins the 2021 Qatar Grand Prix! 
14:53
Puncture for Bottas... he recovers into the pits.
14:03
Here we go - it's lights out and away we go for the 2021 Qatar Grand Prix!
14:01
The formation lap is underway...
14:00
Here we go... time for Q1 in Qatar. 
15:36

That's that - keep across crash.net for the latest paddock reaction from Losail.

15:35
15:29

Alonso finishes on the podium! He beats Perez for the final spot on the rostrum.

15:29

Verstappen finishes second with the fastest lap of the race.

15:28

Lewis Hamilton wins the 2021 Qatar Grand Prix! 

15:27

Final lap... VSC has now ended.

15:24

VSC deployed - Latifi's car is being recovered.

15:20

5 laps to go...

15:20

It's punctures galore - Russell with one, now one with Latifi.

15:19

Order on Lap 51: Hamilton, Verstappen, Alonso, Perez, Ocon, Stroll, Sainz, Leclerc, Vettel and Gasly.

15:18

McLaren pits Norris for fresh rubber - perhaps he was about to get a puncture.

15:16
15:15

Order on Lap 49: Hamilton, Verstappen, Alonso, Norris, Perez, Ocon, Stroll, Sainz, Leclerc and Vettel.

15:14

Perez gets past Ocon into Turn 1 for fifth - next up is Norris for the Mexican.

15:12

Perez moves up to sixth - he has a 17s gap to make up on Alonso for third.

15:11

Alonso tells his engineer: 'Tell Esteban to defend like a lion'.

15:09
15:07
15:06

Red Bull pulls Perez in for some mediums as well from third - he rejoins in seventh.

15:04

Red Bull brings Verstappen in for new mediums from second. Too risky to do a one-stop after Bottas' failure.