Qatar Grand Prix: Power Unit Components
Over the course of the season, teams may use up to four internal combustion engines, turbos, MGU-Hs and MGU-Ks, and up to two energy stores and two control electronics units without incurring penalties.
Fitting the first power unit element that exceeds these limits is penalised by a 10-place grid drop. Fitting the second and subsequent elements incurs a five-place grid drop. If the size of the penalty is more than 15 positions, the driver starts from the back of the grid. If several drivers receive such penalties, their starting positions are determined by their qualifying results.
Replacement of exhaust systems (EX) is also limited — they may be used only eight times per season; subsequent replacements are punished with a similar penalty.
Over the course of the season, teams may use up to four internal combustion engines, turbos, MGU-Hs and MGU-Ks, and up to two energy stores and two control electronics units without incurring penalties.
Fitting the first power unit element that exceeds these limits is penalised by a 10-place grid drop. Fitting the second and subsequent elements incurs a five-place grid drop. If the size of the penalty is more than 15 positions, the driver starts from the back of the grid. If several drivers receive such penalties, their starting positions are determined by their qualifying results.
Replacement of exhaust systems (EX) is also limited — they may be used only eight times per season; subsequent replacements are punished with a similar penalty.
Only nine people can now visit Michael Schumacher.
We have already reported that an appeals trial has begun in Wuppertal, Germany, in connection with the blackmail case involving Michael Schumacher’s family. More than a year ago the German public prosecutor brought charges against three men who, it is alleged, took part in a conspiracy to demand €15 million and threatened to publish private photo and video material on the darknet.
At least in some of the footage the former Formula 1 driver is shown chained to his bed after the severe traumatic brain injury he suffered on a ski slope in the French Alps in December 2013.
Michael’s wife, Corinna Schumacher, has learned from this unpleasant episode and has limited the number of people allowed to visit the seven-time world champion.
We have already reported that an appeals trial has begun in Wuppertal, Germany, in connection with the blackmail case involving Michael Schumacher’s family. More than a year ago the German public prosecutor brought charges against three men who, it is alleged, took part in a conspiracy to demand €15 million and threatened to publish private photo and video material on the darknet.
At least in some of the footage the former Formula 1 driver is shown chained to his bed after the severe traumatic brain injury he suffered on a ski slope in the French Alps in December 2013.
Michael’s wife, Corinna Schumacher, has learned from this unpleasant episode and has limited the number of people allowed to visit the seven-time world champion.
By the end of the year, Cadillac will increase its workforce to 525 employees.
On Friday in Qatar Cadillac team principal Graham Loudon spoke about the difficulties of recruiting staff…
Graham Loudon: “We currently have 500 permanent employees, we’re aiming for 525 by the end of the year, and with those who work with us on individual contracts there will be even more.
When our application to compete in Formula 1 was approved in March, we had just over 300 employees. We wrote to everyone then. I signed more than 300 letters over two days and I will never forget that.
People sometimes underestimate how much effort is required to hire staff. It only seems simple when you say you’re hiring a few hundred people. But each vacancy means hundreds of applications, interviews with every candidate.
On Friday in Qatar Cadillac team principal Graham Loudon spoke about the difficulties of recruiting staff…
Graham Loudon: “We currently have 500 permanent employees, we’re aiming for 525 by the end of the year, and with those who work with us on individual contracts there will be even more.
When our application to compete in Formula 1 was approved in March, we had just over 300 employees. We wrote to everyone then. I signed more than 300 letters over two days and I will never forget that.
People sometimes underestimate how much effort is required to hire staff. It only seems simple when you say you’re hiring a few hundred people. But each vacancy means hundreds of applications, interviews with every candidate.
Verstappen is ready to leave if he doesn't like the regulations.
Max Verstappen's contract with Red Bull Racing runs until the end of 2028. However, the four-time world champion's future remains uncertain. Ahead of the Qatar round, Max said he would end his career if he doesn't like the cars built under the new regulations that come into effect next season.
Max Verstappen: "My contract runs until 2028, but my future beyond that depends on the new 2026 rules and how interesting they turn out to be. If driving the new cars isn't interesting, then I don't see myself racing.
I don't have a goal of winning seven titles. Under my current contract I have three more years, so that outcome is possible, but I definitely won't be aiming to become a seven-time champion before I leave the sport. I could easily retire tomorrow.
Max Verstappen's contract with Red Bull Racing runs until the end of 2028. However, the four-time world champion's future remains uncertain. Ahead of the Qatar round, Max said he would end his career if he doesn't like the cars built under the new regulations that come into effect next season.
Max Verstappen: "My contract runs until 2028, but my future beyond that depends on the new 2026 rules and how interesting they turn out to be. If driving the new cars isn't interesting, then I don't see myself racing.
I don't have a goal of winning seven titles. Under my current contract I have three more years, so that outcome is possible, but I definitely won't be aiming to become a seven-time champion before I leave the sport. I could easily retire tomorrow.
Oscar Piastri: We're in great form this weekend.
Oscar Piastri set the fastest time in sprint qualifying in Qatar and will start Saturday's sprint from pole for the second time this season. The Australian McLaren driver is pleased with the result and thanked the team for the quick car.
Championship leader Lando Norris made a mistake on the decisive flying lap, running off the track at the final corner. Lando will start third and hopes to hold his position.
Oscar Piastri (1st): "Great day, so I'm happy. It's one of those days when everything works as it should from the very beginning. And the sprint qualifying went really well.
On the fast lap I had a scary moment, but I still had enough margin for first place. Thanks to the team for a great car — we're in excellent shape this weekend, and I'm pleased with that.
Oscar Piastri set the fastest time in sprint qualifying in Qatar and will start Saturday's sprint from pole for the second time this season. The Australian McLaren driver is pleased with the result and thanked the team for the quick car.
Championship leader Lando Norris made a mistake on the decisive flying lap, running off the track at the final corner. Lando will start third and hopes to hold his position.
Oscar Piastri (1st): "Great day, so I'm happy. It's one of those days when everything works as it should from the very beginning. And the sprint qualifying went really well.
On the fast lap I had a scary moment, but I still had enough margin for first place. Thanks to the team for a great car — we're in excellent shape this weekend, and I'm pleased with that.
Tsunoda outqualified Verstappen for the first time.
In the sprint qualifying for the Qatar Grand Prix, Yuki Tsunoda beat his teammate Max Verstappen for the first time in his career, posting the fifth-fastest time. Yuki explained his result by saying he had no problems with the car this weekend.
Max Verstappen said that problems with the car’s balance and porpoising on the straights prevented him from achieving more.
Yuki Tsunoda (5th): “The race weekend is going cleanly. Everything is very smooth and there were no problems in practice or qualifying. All of that allowed me to feel more confident behind the wheel in qualifying.
But there are still three sessions ahead, and in them we also need to put all the pieces together. That is very important for the team, especially for Max. Both sides of our garage are fully focused on extracting the maximum.
I’m happy with the car and with my confidence.
In the sprint qualifying for the Qatar Grand Prix, Yuki Tsunoda beat his teammate Max Verstappen for the first time in his career, posting the fifth-fastest time. Yuki explained his result by saying he had no problems with the car this weekend.
Max Verstappen said that problems with the car’s balance and porpoising on the straights prevented him from achieving more.
Yuki Tsunoda (5th): “The race weekend is going cleanly. Everything is very smooth and there were no problems in practice or qualifying. All of that allowed me to feel more confident behind the wheel in qualifying.
But there are still three sessions ahead, and in them we also need to put all the pieces together. That is very important for the team, especially for Max. Both sides of our garage are fully focused on extracting the maximum.
I’m happy with the car and with my confidence.
George Russell was very quick on Friday, finishing just three hundredths of a second off the pole time…
George Russell (2nd): "In practice I was only 14th. Lately qualifying hasn't gone very well for me, but now I'm happy. Attacking in Qatar is great, the track is very fast. At the briefing we talked about why the DRS zone wasn't extended, and I hope that after the sprint it might be possible to adjust it."
Kimi Antonelli (7th): "For me the session was a bit chaotic. The tricky moment in the second session affected my confidence, but the main problem was that I couldn't get optimal grip. The potential was there, but I also had the feeling that I was always a step behind. We need to analyze everything and figure out how to get more on Saturday."
George Russell (2nd): "In practice I was only 14th. Lately qualifying hasn't gone very well for me, but now I'm happy. Attacking in Qatar is great, the track is very fast. At the briefing we talked about why the DRS zone wasn't extended, and I hope that after the sprint it might be possible to adjust it."
Kimi Antonelli (7th): "For me the session was a bit chaotic. The tricky moment in the second session affected my confidence, but the main problem was that I couldn't get optimal grip. The potential was there, but I also had the feeling that I was always a step behind. We need to analyze everything and figure out how to get more on Saturday."
In sprint qualifying Fernando Alonso made it to the final, while Lance Stroll was eliminated already in the first session…
Fernando Alonso (4th): "This is one of our best qualifying results this year. The car was in good shape from the first practice, and in qualifying I put in all my runs well despite some traffic issues. We'll move forward step by step — tomorrow we'll run the sprint and try to improve our qualifying results even more."
Lance Stroll (16th): "A quick lap just didn't come together. At the end of the first session I got caught in traffic at turn one and couldn't get any further. It will be tough to start the sprint tomorrow from 16th, but we'll see what happens."
Fernando Alonso (4th): "This is one of our best qualifying results this year. The car was in good shape from the first practice, and in qualifying I put in all my runs well despite some traffic issues. We'll move forward step by step — tomorrow we'll run the sprint and try to improve our qualifying results even more."
Lance Stroll (16th): "A quick lap just didn't come together. At the end of the first session I got caught in traffic at turn one and couldn't get any further. It will be tough to start the sprint tomorrow from 16th, but we'll see what happens."
Oliver Berman: For me, a perfect storm has formed.
For Haas, sprint qualifying in Qatar ended in the second session, in which Oliver Bearman and Esteban Ocon posted 12th and 15th fastest times. The drivers are not expecting points in the sprint and see the short Saturday race as preparation for qualifying.
Oliver Bearman (12th): "I think tyre wear plays a somewhat smaller role this weekend than in previous years. Over time the track surface has become rougher, and this year it's become easier to warm the tyres up.
Unfortunately, on the decisive flying lap I ended up behind a driver who went off, and there was a lot of gravel on the track in front of me, which is the main problem at this circuit. Many of us have said that the gravel trap at that corner is not the best solution to the problem, because it ends up everywhere, damages the tyres and ruins laps.
For Haas, sprint qualifying in Qatar ended in the second session, in which Oliver Bearman and Esteban Ocon posted 12th and 15th fastest times. The drivers are not expecting points in the sprint and see the short Saturday race as preparation for qualifying.
Oliver Bearman (12th): "I think tyre wear plays a somewhat smaller role this weekend than in previous years. Over time the track surface has become rougher, and this year it's become easier to warm the tyres up.
Unfortunately, on the decisive flying lap I ended up behind a driver who went off, and there was a lot of gravel on the track in front of me, which is the main problem at this circuit. Many of us have said that the gravel trap at that corner is not the best solution to the problem, because it ends up everywhere, damages the tyres and ruins laps.
Both Williams drivers made it to the sprint qualifying final in Qatar, Carlos Sainz once again ahead of Alex Albon…
Carlos Sainz (8th): “It was a very positive day for us. We expected to have problems on this track, so we chose experimental settings we hadn’t tried yet this year — and it worked.
It’s nice to see both cars in the qualifying final. As usual, our car proved more competitive on the harder tyres.
The difference between 4th and 8th is less than one tenth, so we’ll see what happens tomorrow in the sprint and in qualifying!”
Alex Albon (10th): “The weekend has started better than we expected. We don’t have the fastest car, but we took a decent position considering there was only one practice session this weekend.
We have a decent car for the sprint and qualifying; tomorrow I’ll try to maximise its potential.”
Carlos Sainz (8th): “It was a very positive day for us. We expected to have problems on this track, so we chose experimental settings we hadn’t tried yet this year — and it worked.
It’s nice to see both cars in the qualifying final. As usual, our car proved more competitive on the harder tyres.
The difference between 4th and 8th is less than one tenth, so we’ll see what happens tomorrow in the sprint and in qualifying!”
Alex Albon (10th): “The weekend has started better than we expected. We don’t have the fastest car, but we took a decent position considering there was only one practice session this weekend.
We have a decent car for the sprint and qualifying; tomorrow I’ll try to maximise its potential.”
Qatar Grand Prix: Piastri leads in practice
Clear. Dry. Air +26...25°C, track +34...33°C
The round in Qatar was the second in a series of three consecutive races and the penultimate event on the 2025 calendar. The fierce fight for the title continued — everyone wanted to improve their position at the end of the season, especially since a weekend with a Saturday sprint gives two opportunities to score points. There was only one Friday practice, so the track was not empty.
Teams had long since finished developing their cars, adjusting the configuration for the desert circuit, but the stiffest compounds C1, C2 and C3 were used rarely, especially C1 — everyone put it on at the start of the session.
The Qatar circuit is used rarely; at the start of the weekend the asphalt was covered in sand and the Hard tyres lacked grip — almost everyone ran off the track.
Clear. Dry. Air +26...25°C, track +34...33°C
The round in Qatar was the second in a series of three consecutive races and the penultimate event on the 2025 calendar. The fierce fight for the title continued — everyone wanted to improve their position at the end of the season, especially since a weekend with a Saturday sprint gives two opportunities to score points. There was only one Friday practice, so the track was not empty.
Teams had long since finished developing their cars, adjusting the configuration for the desert circuit, but the stiffest compounds C1, C2 and C3 were used rarely, especially C1 — everyone put it on at the start of the session.
The Qatar circuit is used rarely; at the start of the weekend the asphalt was covered in sand and the Hard tyres lacked grip — almost everyone ran off the track.
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Charles Leclerc advanced to the sprint qualifying final in Qatar, where he set the ninth-fastest time. For his Ferrari teammate Lewis Hamilton the session was once again unsuccessful — the seven-time world champion was eliminated in the first session with the eighteenth-fastest time.
Charles Leclerc (9th): "Our qualifying could have been better. I think there was potential today to be in the top five. Before my last flying lap the car in front of me slowed down before Turn 15, so I couldn't build up enough of a gap and started the attempt too close to it. It's part of the game, but we were unlucky. In the sprint I'm going to attack and I hope for some interesting battles."
Lewis Hamilton (18th): "A tough day. We tried several different setup options, but none of them worked. Tonight we'll carefully study the telemetry data and think about how to get back into the fight and perform better on Saturday."
Charles Leclerc (9th): "Our qualifying could have been better. I think there was potential today to be in the top five. Before my last flying lap the car in front of me slowed down before Turn 15, so I couldn't build up enough of a gap and started the attempt too close to it. It's part of the game, but we were unlucky. In the sprint I'm going to attack and I hope for some interesting battles."
Lewis Hamilton (18th): "A tough day. We tried several different setup options, but none of them worked. Tonight we'll carefully study the telemetry data and think about how to get back into the fight and perform better on Saturday."
Racing Bulls drivers did not make the final in qualifying for the sprint in Qatar…
Isaac Hadjar (11th): “I’m disappointed. I did a good lap, but I went off track at turn eight.
It will be difficult to recover in tomorrow’s sprint, but we will do everything we can, and we’ll take the positive moments from today into the main qualifying.”
Liam Lawson (17th): “Today we struggled with the balance all day. After practice we had to take quite a big step and sacrifice a lap. The results are close, I would have liked to do another lap, but that didn’t happen.
This is a useful experience ahead of tomorrow’s sprint race and qualifying; we’ll try to achieve the best possible results.”
Isaac Hadjar (11th): “I’m disappointed. I did a good lap, but I went off track at turn eight.
It will be difficult to recover in tomorrow’s sprint, but we will do everything we can, and we’ll take the positive moments from today into the main qualifying.”
Liam Lawson (17th): “Today we struggled with the balance all day. After practice we had to take quite a big step and sacrifice a lap. The results are close, I would have liked to do another lap, but that didn’t happen.
This is a useful experience ahead of tomorrow’s sprint race and qualifying; we’ll try to achieve the best possible results.”
The German publication Bild reported the arrest of former Formula 1 driver Adrian Sutil. There are no official details yet, but according to the paper Sutil was arrested during an international operation on charges of fraud and embezzlement. It is expected that, as the investigation progresses, more information will emerge about the circumstances of the arrest and the charges brought.
Adrian Sutil competed in Formula 1 from 2007 to 2014 for Spyker, Force India and Sauber. He scored 124 points in his career, and his best result was fourth place at the 2009 Italian Grand Prix.
This is not Sutil’s first run-in with the law. In 2011 he was involved in a brawl at a Shanghai nightclub, where he injured Lotus team manager Eric Lux with a champagne glass. Sutil was subsequently found guilty of causing grievous bodily harm and was given an 18-month suspended sentence and a fine.
Adrian Sutil competed in Formula 1 from 2007 to 2014 for Spyker, Force India and Sauber. He scored 124 points in his career, and his best result was fourth place at the 2009 Italian Grand Prix.
This is not Sutil’s first run-in with the law. In 2011 he was involved in a brawl at a Shanghai nightclub, where he injured Lotus team manager Eric Lux with a champagne glass. Sutil was subsequently found guilty of causing grievous bodily harm and was given an 18-month suspended sentence and a fine.
Nico Hülkenberg: The balance of power could still change
Sauber drivers put in a decent sprint qualifying and hope for further progress over the course of the weekend…
Gabriel Bortoleto (13th): “We did well, although there’s a feeling we could have got more out of the car. On the first run in the second session there wasn’t enough grip, but after a quick stop in the pits for fine-tuning the second attempt was better.
It’s a bit frustrating that I didn’t make the final — I was short by just one and a half tenths, but in this sport everything is decided by fractions of a second.
As for tomorrow’s sprint, we know that overtaking here isn’t easy. We’ll keep fighting, try to get through the sprint cleanly, and then the qualifying.
Sauber drivers put in a decent sprint qualifying and hope for further progress over the course of the weekend…
Gabriel Bortoleto (13th): “We did well, although there’s a feeling we could have got more out of the car. On the first run in the second session there wasn’t enough grip, but after a quick stop in the pits for fine-tuning the second attempt was better.
It’s a bit frustrating that I didn’t make the final — I was short by just one and a half tenths, but in this sport everything is decided by fractions of a second.
As for tomorrow’s sprint, we know that overtaking here isn’t easy. We’ll keep fighting, try to get through the sprint cleanly, and then the qualifying.
Gasly: The result is disappointing, but we're not fast enough.
Alpine drivers Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto finished at the back of the sprint qualifying in Qatar. The team are unsurprisingly unhappy with the result, but admitted the car lacks pace on this circuit.
Pierre Gasly (19th): “Sprint qualifying wasn’t easy, and the result was disappointing.
On the final lap of the first session I had problems already at turn one due to cold tyres – at the start of the lap there simply wasn’t enough grip, and I lost a lot of time. The tyres gradually warmed up and the second and third sectors went much better, but too much was lost at the start of the lap.
We were probably not quick enough to make it into the second part, but at least we got information and hopefully we can improve in Saturday’s qualifying.
Alpine drivers Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto finished at the back of the sprint qualifying in Qatar. The team are unsurprisingly unhappy with the result, but admitted the car lacks pace on this circuit.
Pierre Gasly (19th): “Sprint qualifying wasn’t easy, and the result was disappointing.
On the final lap of the first session I had problems already at turn one due to cold tyres – at the start of the lap there simply wasn’t enough grip, and I lost a lot of time. The tyres gradually warmed up and the second and third sectors went much better, but too much was lost at the start of the lap.
We were probably not quick enough to make it into the second part, but at least we got information and hopefully we can improve in Saturday’s qualifying.
Pirelli noticed cuts on the tires.
On Friday the drivers were unhappy with the asphalt in Qatar, but Pirelli believes the situation is still better than last year, although they did notice tyre damage by the end of the day…
Simone Berra, Pirelli’s chief engineer: “On Friday the track conditions were definitely better than a year ago, when the wind blew too much sand onto the asphalt. Now the level of grip, combined with the evolution of the cars, has led to lap times being not only better than in equivalent sessions last year, but also better than in the simulator.
In the only practice session teams got to grips with the track using Hard tyres, leaving one set for the race on Sunday, and then finished the session on Softs. The difference between Soft and Medium was clearly noticeable in sprint qualifying, where it amounted to six to seven tenths of a second.
On Friday the drivers were unhappy with the asphalt in Qatar, but Pirelli believes the situation is still better than last year, although they did notice tyre damage by the end of the day…
Simone Berra, Pirelli’s chief engineer: “On Friday the track conditions were definitely better than a year ago, when the wind blew too much sand onto the asphalt. Now the level of grip, combined with the evolution of the cars, has led to lap times being not only better than in equivalent sessions last year, but also better than in the simulator.
In the only practice session teams got to grips with the track using Hard tyres, leaving one set for the race on Sunday, and then finished the session on Softs. The difference between Soft and Medium was clearly noticeable in sprint qualifying, where it amounted to six to seven tenths of a second.
McLaren's Stella advocates for a review of the floor disqualification rule.
He has urged the FIA to contemplate proportionality.
McLaren has arrived in Qatar still grappling with the repercussions of its double disqualification in Las Vegas, with team principal Andrea Stella indicating that the FIA is already looking into whether the floor-wear regulation requires modification.
Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, who faced an identical plank-wear disqualification in China, has openly supported McLaren’s stance that the regulation can penalize teams for minor, unpredictable variations.
"It's a tricky regulation," Leclerc remarked in Qatar. "I'm sure no team goes onto the track with the intention of having an illegal car. It takes very little—perhaps just a gust of wind—to alter everything, and it's incredibly hard to foresee all possible scenarios. These are points that will need discussion.
He has urged the FIA to contemplate proportionality.
McLaren has arrived in Qatar still grappling with the repercussions of its double disqualification in Las Vegas, with team principal Andrea Stella indicating that the FIA is already looking into whether the floor-wear regulation requires modification.
Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, who faced an identical plank-wear disqualification in China, has openly supported McLaren’s stance that the regulation can penalize teams for minor, unpredictable variations.
"It's a tricky regulation," Leclerc remarked in Qatar. "I'm sure no team goes onto the track with the intention of having an illegal car. It takes very little—perhaps just a gust of wind—to alter everything, and it's incredibly hard to foresee all possible scenarios. These are points that will need discussion.