F1 Results Today: Ferrari DOMINATE as huge title charge mounts at Qatar Grand Prix

Ferrari laid down an early marker at the Qatar Grand Prix on Friday, heading the timing boards in FP1 with Charles Leclerc almost half a second clear of his rivals.

The Scuderia trail McLaren by 24 points in the constructors' championship, looking to become the first team since the 1980s to win the team competition without having a driver in the top two.

F1 HEADLINES: Mercedes handed FIA summons as MAJOR Hamilton concern emerges

READ MORE: F1 star absent at Qatar Grand Prix as team issue official health update

Red Bull are nominally still in the running too, but at 53 points behind and with Sergio Perez struggling to pull his weight, they're likely to officially drop out of contention this weekend. Perez could only set the 18th fastest time of the session, with Max Verstappen 11th.

The running in Lusail, the only practice session of the weekend thanks to the sprint format, featured a number of drivers finding the limits of their cars, often running well wide with Lando Norris in particular having a huge snap of oversteer.

READ MORE: Mercedes announce SHOCK driver exit in official team statement

F1 FP1 Results: Qatar Grand Prix 2024

1. Charles Leclerc [Ferrari] - 1:21.953sec
2. Lando Norris [McLaren] - +0.425sec
3. Oscar Piastri [McLaren] - +0.472sec
4. Carlos Sainz [Ferrari] - +0.582sec
5. Yuki Tsunoda [VCARB] - +1.092sec
6. Valtteri Bottas [Kick Sauber] - +1.111sec
7. Lance Stroll [Aston Martin] - +1.146sec
8. George Russell [Mercedes] - +1.207sec
9. Alex Albon [Williams] - +1.208sec
10. Lewis Hamilton [Mercedes] - +1.235sec
11. Max Verstappen [Red Bull] - +1.260sec
12. Fernando Alonso [Aston Martin] - +1.274sec
13. Nico Hulkenberg [Haas] - +1.292sec
14. Liam Lawson [VCARB] - +1.609sec
15. Pierre Gasly [Alpine] - +1.667sec
16. Kevin Magnussen [Haas] - +1.762sec
17. Zhou Guanyu [Kick Sauber] - +1.927sec
18. Sergio Perez [Red Bull] - +2.086sec
19. Franco Colapinto [Williams] - +2.247sec
20. Esteban Ocon [Alpine] - +2.327sec

Who is the current F1 world champion?

Max Verstappen is the reigning F1 champion, won his fourth drivers' championship last weekend.

Is there F1 today?

Yes, sprint qualifying is due to take place later on Friday. The session is due to start at 5:30pm GMT.

READ MORE: FIA summon Mercedes over pit-lane procedure

Related

More F1 news

Latest F1 news

F1 star claims Lando Norris interview was designed to catch McLaren champion out

• 47 minutes ago

FIA close F1 engine loophole ahead of Miami GP

• Today 09:57

Miami GP F1 trial poses threat to Lewis Hamilton's Ferrari season

• Today 09:12

'I might get shot for saying this' - F1 champion HATES racing in 2026

• 2 hours ago

Silverstone offers to host additional F1 race in 2026

• 3 hours ago

'I've had my time' - Lewis Hamilton's F1 retirement advice

• Yesterday 20:55