2024 F1 Qatar Grand Prix as it happened

A blistering start from Verstappen to take the lead from Russell. Norris slots into second ahead of the Mercedes. An exciting opening lap in Qatar.

The race in Qatar is now underway. Can McLaren win the constructors' title tonight - their first since 1998?

Follow all of the action here.

The formation lap is underway in Qatar as Russell leads the pack away from pole.

It's mediums for the entire field except Hulkenberg, who is starting on the hards from 18th on the grid.

We're about 10 minutes from lights out in Qatar.

A 1-2 finish would earn McLaren the constructors' title today.

"I think we can do it, but it won't be easy," Zak Brown said.

Lando Norris starts from third, Oscar Piastri fourth.

Max Verstappen had "strong words" about his grid penalty to George Russell, Sky Sports report.

Christian Horner likened Verstappen's penalty to a footballer diving, claiming that Russell was driving too fast behind Verstappen.

Clear tetchiness from the Red Bull camp about the grid penalty.

He might need it...

Valtteri Bottas might have only two grands prix left.

The McLarens start from third and fourth today.

The Red Bull driver starts from ninth.

He endured a dreadful sprint qualifying and sprint race which left Christian Horner speechless.

Perez is under intense pressure to keep his race seat so needs to produce a performance today.

Scroll down for Lewis Larkam's best snaps from the pitlane in Qatar!

Lewis Larkam is on the Qatar grid for us.

"James speaks the truth – and that’s why Carlos is interested to come to a team that isn’t winning races."

READ HERE: Jenson Button EXCLUSIVE on the key to Williams convincing Carlos Sainz

Aston Martin performance director Tom McCullough has just been speaking to media including Crash.net's Lewis Larkam in his usual pre-race debrief.

According to McCullough a one-stop is “possible” using the two harder compounds available in Pirelli’s tyre range, but he warned it will require management to pull off and won't be an "easy one-stop race”.

“I think the [tyre] life is difficult for a one-stop, so therefore management is needed," he explained. 

"In the sprint race many people managed and then ticked on near the end with lap times and how close the field was.

“It’s not an easy one-stop race. The simulations would push you to a one-stop, largely because it’s hard to overtake, but it isn’t a one stop if you run out of tyres, so that’s the balance everyone is playing.”

This is Hamilton's second-from-last F1 grand prix with Mercedes before he goes to Ferrari.

He has been miserable all weekend, even saying "I'm not fast anymore".

Although he rowed back on that remark, Jenson Button noted that Hamilton's words have been "sad" and "deflated".

It has been a tough three years for Hamilton at Mercedes, unable to routinely fight for wins.

Teammate George Russell has out-qualified him all year, too.

George Russell inherited pole from Max Verstappen, who must face a one-place grid penalty for unnecessarily slow driving.

Russell won the grand prix last weekend in Vegas.

Hi guys, the race begins in one hour and we'll be covering every lap here.