Verstappen makes rocket start from P7 in Qatar, Hamilton retains lead

Max Verstappen will face a challenge in Qatar, where he will have to move up from seventh place following a grid penalty. The start went well for the Dutchman, who gained three places at the start.

Lewis Hamilton, meanwhile, was able to maintain his leading position. He got away better than Pierre Gasly and Fernando Alonso, both of whom would have been only too happy to attack that first place. Verstappen moved up to second place on the fifth lap of the race.

After a few laps, the Dutchman reported that he was 'a bit stuck' behind Gasly. Not long after, he passed his AlphaTauri colleague on the straight without a problem. Alonso didn't make things difficult for Verstappen either when he was overtaken for second place.

So now the Red Bull driver has arrived at P2, with a four-second gap to Hamilton. So far, that gap seems to be holding steady.