Just nowSun 30 Nov 2025 at 3:23pmCars head out onto circuit

We’re still 40 minutes from the start of the race, but the cars are heading out onto the grid at the moment.

Lando Norris has just had a practice start on the exit from the pits.

He must have a good start if he is to get past Oscar Piastri.

Piastri, it has to be said, did not have a practice launch – but he was faster off the line in yesterday’s sprint race too.

6m agoSun 30 Nov 2025 at 3:18pm

No regrets for Lewis Hamilton

– Reuters

(Getty Images)

Lewis Hamilton said he had no regrets about moving to Ferrari and rowed back on comments suggesting he was not looking forward to next season.

The seven-time Formula One world champion started last on the grid in Las Vegas on Sunday and finished 10th, which became eighth after both McLarens were disqualified.

He said then that it was his worst ever season and he was not looking forward to 2026, when the sport enters a new engine and rules era.

In Qatar on Thursday the Briton acknowledged there had been some positives, such as the passion within the team.

“I think probably I’d be surprised if other drivers are excited about next year at the end of a season, because usually you don’t have a lot of energy,” he explained.

“You’re looking forward to time with family and stuff. That’s really it.

“But I mean, look, that was just in the heat of frustration. Often there’s a lot of frustration at the end of the races, particularly when they haven’t gone well. So I’m excited to see what the team build next year and to continue to build on with them.”

Asked if his outlook would change if the car performed better at the last two races, Hamilton said no.

Ferrari have not won a race this season, the only top four team to fail to do so, and Hamilton has not even made it onto the podium since he joined from Mercedes in January.

Hamilton said he would still have put pen to paper even if he had known how the situation would turn out.

“I would, absolutely,” he said.

“I don’t regret the decision I made joining the team. I know it takes time to build and grow within an organisation and I expected that.

“We have a lot of work to do, for sure, over the winter,” he added. “There are lots of improvements we need to make collectively but I think no-one’s under any illusion in the team that we all have to play our part. And I believe that we can.”

Read more about Hamilton’s frustrations here.

10m agoSun 30 Nov 2025 at 3:13pm

Leonardo Fornaroli wins the F2 title(Getty Images)

It’s been a rubbish year for Ferrari’s Tifosi, but Italian motorsport may have some brighter times advancing at some pace over the horizon in the form of Leonardo Fornaroli.

Fornaroli just won the F2 world title at the first time of asking, having claimed the F3 crown last year.

Oscar Piastri, George Russelland Charles Leclerc are notable drivers in the F1 field to have won back-to-back titles in the same way.

The 20-year-old from Piacenza has claimed the title with two races to spare.

13m agoSun 30 Nov 2025 at 3:10pm

Piastri and Norris’s ‘authentic’ friendship

Zak Brown has just been speaking on Fox Sports.

“I’m ready to go racing,” McLaren boss Brown has said.

“We spoke about it this afternoon. It’s business as usual.

“An ideal weekend will be a Papaya weekend.

“If we finish where we started, that’s a great result, having Oscar and Lando go to the final race, duke it out.

“Obviously Lando has slightly different views of what an ideal weekend looks like but for us, we just want to have a Papaya driver on top.”

He also paid credit to his drivers for their “authentic” friendship.

“They’ve been great … as soon as they get out the car they’ve been shaking each other’s hand, they’re looking for each other. It’s very authentic.

“Our goal is to win the race, and to have a Papaya car win the championship.”

He says that Novak Djokovic, who has been with the McLaren team this weekend, was stunned to see how the two drivers worked so well together and were aware of each other’s strategies.

Brown also mentioned that Max Verstappen will likely “lift last” heading into the first corner.

23m agoSun 30 Nov 2025 at 3:01pm

Supercars reflecting F1?

Today’s action in Supercars saw the second placed driver take the lead, hope the same happens in F1 tonight!

– Dave

It sure did, Dave.

Chaz Mostert got his maiden title after Broc Feeney spun on the opening lap.

Surely we won’t see anything like that happen tonight though…

27m agoSun 30 Nov 2025 at 2:56pm

‘Everything’s gone smoothly’: Piastri

Oscar Piastri won his first race of any sort since the Dutch Grand Prix at the end of August to claim a third Qatar sprint race victory in as many years yesterday.

It was a perfect Saturday for Piastri, who also claimed pole for today’s race as well.

Here’s a recap of how it all went down.

35m agoSun 30 Nov 2025 at 2:48pm

What does Oscar need to do?

What does Aussie Oscar need to do to keep his title hopes alive? Basically win yeah?

– StevoR

If Lando Norris outscores Oscar Piastri by four points today, the Englishman will be out of sight when it comes to the title race.

We’ll have a proper breakdown a bit later, but that’s basically it.

37m agoSun 30 Nov 2025 at 2:46pm

Piastri: ‘My chances are pretty good’(Getty Images)

McLaren’s pair have been talking to F1 on their arrival at the track.

“Pretty excited to get going,” Lando Norris said.

“Two races to go. It’s getting exciting for everyone.

“It’s normal. Head down, keep focused.”

Oscar Piastri is clearly the happier of the pair based on what’s been happening so far this weekend – and that shows.

“It’s been a good weekend so far, starting from pole is the best place to be,” he says.

“Hopefully we can have a good night.”

He adds that he is “relatively optimistic” that he can extend the title race to Abu Dhabi next weekend.

“Starting from pole gives me the best chance, just trying to get a good start is going to be important,” he says.

“If I can do that, my chances are pretty good.

“But there’s a lot that could happen tonight.”

43m agoSun 30 Nov 2025 at 2:41pm

Gives you wings, apparently

“A Red Bull-fuelled Demogorgon” is quite the image!

– Simon C

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45m agoSun 30 Nov 2025 at 2:38pm

Title contenders, ready!

Just in case we weren’t sure, the drivers are all here and ready to roll.

55m agoSun 30 Nov 2025 at 2:28pm

Is Lando Norris feeling the pressure?

There’s been a video doing the rounds from after qualifying of a little discussion between British pair Lando Norris and George Russell.

In the video, Mercedes driver Russell comes up to Norris and asked why he was being blamed for Norris having to abort his qualifying lap.

“Mate, you told the media the reason you messed up Turn 1 was because of me? Someone said you’re blaming me?” he said.

Norris gave that short shrift.

“We’re with media, mate. All they do is spread bulls***,” Norris said.

“Can’t believe you believe them over me. Pretty disappointing.”

Russell continued to stir the pot: “It sounded like something you would say, though.”

Norris asked whether Russell had even been there to impact the Maclaren’s lap.

“What even happened? Where were you? Did you let me pass?” he asked

Russell said, somewhat cheekily, that he was trying to help him.

“I was giving you a tow! To help you win the championship.”

Anything in it?

Probably not.

Will I forgive Lando Norris for saying the media is less than salubrious when it comes to reporting news?

Probably not.

1h agoSun 30 Nov 2025 at 2:19pmWhen does the F1 Qatar Grand Prix begin?

Here is when the race will begin in each of Australia’s states and territories:

3am AEDT: NSW, ACT, Vic, Tas2:30am ACDT: South Australia2am AEST: Queensland1:30am ACST: Northern Territory12am AWST: Western Australia

Once again, thank you for joining me for this at what can only be described as a race that has tough timing written all over it.

1h agoSun 30 Nov 2025 at 2:13pm

Live updates: Formula 1 Qatar Grand Prix(Getty Images)

Good morning/night folks and welcome to the ABC Sport coverage of the Qatar Grand Prix!

Michael Doyle is otherwise engaged so you’ve got me, Simon Smale, to take you through all the twists and turns of the penultimate round of the 2025 Formula 1 season, which could see a champion emerge in British driver Lando Norris.

Australian fans will hope that’s not the case though and, with Oscar Piastri starting on pole at a circuit that is notorious for being tough to pass on, it is unlikely to happen for Norris this weekend.

But Piastri can certainly get a leg up against his teammate if he does secure victory today and, with Max Verstappen looming like a Red Bull-fuelled Demogorgon (guess what I’ve been binge watching to wait for this to start) in both the McLaren’s mirrors from third on the grid, there can be no room for error from the Papaya-clad cars.

It’s set for an intriguing battle of wills, if nothing else.

I’m all fuelled up on coffee and lollies like a kid who can’t wait to open the first door on his advent calendar, or indeed a child who has decided that the numbers are merely guides rather than hard and fast rules, so let’s get into it shall we?

If you have a question or wanted to let me know I’m not alone at this time of night after watching Stranger Things, just hit that comment button and drop me a line.