The Latest Breaking News from Qatar

Drivers experienced temperatures of up to 50C in their cockpits, with Mercedes’s George Russell saying many were ‘close to passing out’

An unseasonably hot race and tricky track conditions created an enthralling Qatar Grand Prix weekend, as Formula 1’s 2023 crown was finally claimed by Max Verstappen.

Verstappen, who was crowned a three-time world champion over the weekend, led the Qatar Grand Prix from lights-to-flag. But the weekend's main talking point was Pirelli mandating 18-lap stints for tyres after tears were found in the sidewall from drivers running over kerbs.

Seven-time world champion was not reprimanded for the collision but has been punished for walking across the track on his return to the pitlane

Lance Stroll said he faded in and out of consciousness because of the extreme heat and humidity during Sunday’s race.

F1’s official tyre supplier was forced to take action along with the FIA after microscopic analysis of tyres used in Qatar revealed a sidewall separation that could have led to failures.

The discreetly updated performance SUV brought 500 horsepower onto the stage.

At July’s Austrian Grand Prix, eight drivers were penalised - Alpine’s Esteban Ocon four separate times - post-race after the FIA had sifted through 1200 potential track limits transgressions. 

At July’s Austrian Grand Prix, eight drivers were penalised (Alpine’s Esteban Ocon four separate times) post-race after the FIA had sifted through 1200 potential track limits transgressions. 

A coalition-led parliamentary inquiry wants the government to review its decision to stop Qatar Airways being allowed extra flights into Australia.

After the Red Bull driver sealed his 2023 F1 world drivers’ championship with second place in Saturday’s sprint race in Qatar, he went one better with victory in the grand prix, but the event was overshadowed by tyre trouble and a gruelling hot race that left drivers unwell.