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Verstappen leads every lap to win in BakuPiastri crashes on opening lap, lead slashed to 25 pointsNorris starts and finishes seventhRussell second, Sainz thirdMcLaren kept waiting for 10th constructors' titleRed Bull's Max Verstappen cruised to a dominant Azerbaijan Grand Prix victory while Oscar Piastri crashed on the opening lap and had his Formula One lead over McLaren teammate Lando Norris slashed to 25 points.McLaren had hoped to secure their 10th Formula One constructors' title, and second in a row, Sunday with a record seven rounds remaining but must now wait until Singapore on October 5 after their lowest scoring weekend of the season.George Russell finished second for Mercedes, who moved up to second place and 333 points behind McLaren with 346 still to be won, and Carlos Sainz third for Williams's first podium finish since 2021.Norris started and finished seventh in what will rank as a missed opportunity, with six points gained on his rival but his chances of more scuppered by a slow 4.1-second pitstop for the second successive race.The win was Verstappen's second in a row and he led every lap from pole to flag, also setting the fastest lap for a "Grand Slam" that revived his slim title hopes with the reigning champion now 69 points behind Piastri.He took the chequered flag 14.609 seconds clear of Russell, after being more than 32 seconds clear before taking his pitstop."I think this weekend has been incredible for us," said Verstappen after his 67th career win, fourth of the season and second in Baku after a 2022 victory. "For us to win here again is just fantastic."We had clean air all the time and you could then look after your tyres. And yeah, it was pretty straightforward."Russell, recovering from sickness and starting fifth on the grid, was happy to see a rough weekend finish strongly while Sainz - voted driver of the day - was the happiest man on the podium."I cannot describe how happy I am and how good this feels. It tastes even better than my first ever podium," said the Spaniard, a four-times race winner with Ferrari who had started on the front row.The big story came on the opening lap when Piastri, who crashed in qualifying and started ninth, jumped the start and went to the back of the field before ploughing into the wall at turn five.The uncharacteristic errors ended the Australian's record of being the only driver to score in every race this season and also put the brakes on a run of 34 races in the points.He had not failed to finish a race since his 2023 rookie season."Certainly not my finest moment," the 24-year-old told Sky Sports."I just anticipated the start too much and yeah...silly simple error really."Italian rookie Kimi Antonelli was fourth for Mercedes, redeeming himself after a poor home race weekend at Monza, with New Zealander Liam Lawson enjoying a career high fifth for Racing Bulls.Yuki Tsunoda was sixth for Red Bull with Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc following Norris home in eighth and ninth, with the pair swapping places on team orders because Hamilton had fresher tyres.French rookie Isack Hadjar made it a double points finish for Racing Bulls in 10th.Piastri's crash brought out the safety car, a regular feature of races in Baku, and provided the main drama of the 51- lap race around the windy city streets where the threat of a downpour failed to materialise.Norris lost a place to Hadjar and was then passed by Leclerc when the race re-started after the safety car period.The Briton followed Leclerc past Hadjar, whose car had suffered an hydraulics problem before the start, and could have passed both Leclerc and Lawson had his pitstop not cost him critical seconds.He ultimately passed Leclerc with 10 laps remaining but was unable to find a way past Tsunoda."I did the best I could yesterday, the best I could today," said Norris."Every race I didn't win was an opportunity missed, so of course today I wanted more. It was not a good result, but I couldn't do anything more today."

Old Doha Port, in collaboration with Doha Marine Sports Club will host the Aquabike World Championship – Grand Prix of Qatar from October 30 to November 1, 2025, along the Mina Corniche.The event marks the long-awaited return of the world’s premier Aquabike series to Qatar after a decade, positioning Old Doha Port as the new stage for the season finale, the port said Sunday in a statement.The championship finale will bring together elite riders to take part in three days of thrilling events, with widespread international participation from over 21 countries. Riders will compete across several main categories, including:UIM-ABP World Championship (final round), Continental Asia Championship (final round), World Slalom Parallel Championship (round two), and the Continental Asia Runabout GP2 Championship. Set against the backdrop of Doha’s iconic Mina Corniche, the Grand Prix promises three days of exhilarating competition, night freestyle shows, and a spectacular sporting atmosphere that will captivate audiences and elevate Qatar’s global profile as a hub for maritime excellence.“Hosting international sporting events such as the Aquabike World Championship, in collaboration with Doha Marine Sports Club reflects our ongoing commitment to positioning Old Doha Port and Qatar as a leading destination in global maritime tourism,” said Engineer Mohammed Abdulla Al Mulla, CEO of Old Doha Port. “And embodies our dedication to promoting sport as a way of life, while highlighting the port’s legacy as a hub that brings together sport, culture, and entertainment.”Khalifa Mohammed Al-Suwaidi, President of the Doha Marine Sports Club, said, "This championship is a key milestone for the Club, and strengthens its position as a leader for marine sports in the region. It is also an opportunity to celebrate Qatar’s maritime heritage and to reinforce its position as a global destination for sports and cultural tourism. We are committed to delivering an exceptional experience to all participants and spectators, and I would like to take this opportunity to extend my gratitude to Old Doha Port for providing their invaluable support in making this global event possible.” The Aquabike World Championship marks a significant achievement in Old Doha Port’s journey to become the region’s leading stage for maritime sports, honoring Qatar’s seafaring heritage as well as its rise as one of the world’s prime tourism hubs.

Engineer Mohammad al-Mulla, CEO of Old Doha Port, Salah Ibrahim al-Mannai, Vice President of Doha Marine Sports Club, and Rashid Ibrahim A al-Mannai, Head of Aquabike Sports, are seen at a press conference at Mina District in Doha on Sunday.The press conference was held to give the details of the the Old Doha Part - Grand Prix of Qatar - part of the UIM-ABP Aquabike Class Pro Championship - that will be held from Oct 30 to Nov 1 in Doha.

Lusail International Circuit (LIC) has announced an exclusive hospitality offering in collaboration with Cipriani Doha, elevating its hospitality experience and setting a new benchmark for premium Formula 1 hospitality.Renowned for its heritage of Italian elegance and four generations of tradition in which “to serve is to love”, Cipriani will bring its signature refinement to the Formula 1 Qatar Airways Qatar Grand Prix 2025. Guided by the brand’s philosophy of simplicity and quality, the experience will showcase Cipriani’s celebrated Venetian and Italian cuisine — including Carpaccio “alla Cipriani”, Baked Tagliolini and the iconic Vanilla Meringue — crafted with the finest ingredients and impeccable standards that have made Cipriani a global icon.The Cipriani experience will be hosted in Premiere Hospitality, located at the end of the Main Straight. Guests will enjoy climate-controlled indoor seating, an expansive outdoor terrace, and attached trackside grandstand access — providing outstanding views as the F1 cars accelerate down the straight and contest position into Turn 1.The experience will be complemented by a premium international beverage service, along with a selection of Cipriani’s classics. Exclusive live entertainment, including cultural performances and professional DJs, will create an elevated atmosphere under the lights of Lusail International Circuit.Hospitality packages are now available, but only a limited number of passes remain. The passes can be bought from here.

In the lead-up to the one of the anticipated event on the Qatar sporting calendar, Lusail International Circuit has unveiled its 2025 Qatar Grand Prix Show car livery that will serve as the centerpiece of its fan engagement efforts for the Formula 1 Qatar Airways Qatar Grand Prix 2025. Brought to life with a custom design commissioned by Lusail International Circuit, it marks the beginning of a series of fan activations across the country in the build-up to race weekend at Lusail International Circuit, taking place from November 28–30. The show car’s livery embodies Qatar’s identity and the spirit of modern motorsport. Its sweeping speed lines capture the thrill of Formula 1 Qatar Airways Qatar Grand Prix 2025, while architectural elements inspired from Lusail International Circuit and a re-imagined falcon pattern symbolising agility, speed and competitive spirit bring a distinctive local character to the design. At the heart of the Formula 1 campaign is the slogan “Where Hearts Are Racing.” More than just a tagline, it captures the excitement of Formula 1’s return to Lusail International Circuit, the passion of fans, and the energy of a nation embracing motorsport at a global stage. Fans will also have the opportunity to see the show car up close as part of a special roadshow across Qatar in the lead-up to the Grand Prix, bringing the excitement of Formula 1 directly to the community. With tickets selling fast, fans are encouraged to secure their seats now at tickets.lcsc.qa and be part of the action.

Ferrari made a flying start to their home Italian Formula One Grand Prix Friday but McLaren's title contender Lando Norris, bouncing back from the body blow of car failure in the previous race, set the practice pace.The Briton lapped Monza's sunlit 'Pista Magica' with a best lap of one minute 19.878 seconds in the afternoon's second session, 0.083 quicker than Ferrari's 2024 winner Charles Leclerc. Norris is 34 points behind championship-leading teammate Oscar Piastri with runaway leaders McLaren chasing a sixth win in a row on Sunday.Former Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz was third fastest for Williams with Piastri fourth and Ferrari's seven-times world champion Lewis Hamilton fifth. Hamilton, making his first Monza appearance in Ferrari red, and Leclerc had delighted the Ferrari fans with a surprise one-two in first practice.Five-times Italian GP winner Hamilton's leading time then was 1:20.117, with Leclerc 0.169 slower. "The mood in general is very good, and we had a positive push from the tifosi (fans) all week, from Monday morning in front of the factory. This is an extra energy and a good one," said Ferrari boss Fred Vasseur.Hamilton has yet to stand on the podium for Ferrari and it was a morale boost for the team after a double blank in the Netherlands last weekend when both cars crashed. Hamilton will carry a five-place grid penalty into Sunday's race from Zandvoort.Red Bull's four-times world champion Max Verstappen was sixth fastest in session two after ending opening practice fourth with Norris sixth. Piastri sat out first practice, as Irish Formula Two contender Alex Dunne took his place, fulfilling part of the team's young driver commitments, and ended up 16th.Alex Albon was seventh fastest for Williams in both sessions. Sauber's Nico Hulkenberg, Red Bull's Yuki Tsunoda and Mercedes' George Russell completed the top 10 in the second session. Racing Bulls' French rookie Isack Hadjar, who took his first F1 podium in last weekend's Dutch race, was 10th and 11th respectively.He triggered a red flag in first practice when he went off at the Ascari Chicane with 25 minutes to go and scattered gravel across the track. Alpine had Estonian reserve driver Paul Aron replacing Argentina's Franco Colapinto for the first session and he finished last. Colapinto was also last when he returned to action.

Lusail International Circuit (LIC) has revealed the official key visual for the Formula 1® Qatar Airways Qatar Grand Prix 2025, capturing the energy, speed, and spirit of the event set for November 28–30.The artwork showcases the Qatar Formula 1 car in its bold and unique national colors, a bold reflection of Qatar’s presence on the global motorsport stage. Speeding through LIC’s iconic building, the car blazes a trail of light and color, symbolizing the sheer speed and adrenaline of Formula 1®.Local cultural elements are also woven into the artwork, with Saadu-inspired curb designs stretched along the track and a dramatic Doha skyline backdrop, blending tradition with modernity.Front and center is the tagline “Where Hearts Are Racing”—a campaign platform carried forward from 2024. More than a slogan, it reflects how motorsport has become deeply rooted in Qatari society and how Lusail International Circuit seeks to connect the emotions of the drivers on track with the fans in the grandstands.Whether it’s the thrill of watching Formula 1 live for the first time, witnessing the Sprint Race, cheering on the next generation through Formula 2, or simply soaking up the electric atmosphere of race weekend, “Where Hearts Are Racing” is a promise that every moment at LIC creates lasting memories.It underscores the circuit’s role as a world-class hub for motorsport and as a destination where passion, culture, and performance come together on and off the track.With British singer Seal — renowned for his soulful music — confirmed as Friday night’s headlining artist and more exciting news still to come, anticipation is building towards one of the most thrilling weekends of the year.Tickets have seen record demand, with the Main Grandstand and 3-day General Admissions already sold out. However, fans can still secure their spot with tickets available for the North Grandstand, T2, T3, and T16 Grandstands, as well as single-day Lusail Hill General Admission. Prices begin at QR200 for single-day General Admission, while three-day Grandstand access starts from QR1,000.Premium experiences also remain available, including hospitality and VIP packages designed to bring fans closer to the thrill of Formula 1 as anticipation grows for the return of Formula 1 to Qatar.