Sergio Perez and Franco Colapinto look set to start the Qatar GP F1 Sprint from the pit-lane due to set-up changes being made.

Formula 1 is contesting its final Sprint weekend of the F1 2024 season in Qatar, a race weekend which so far has not gone to plan for under-pressure Red Bull driver Sergio Perez and Williams’ Franco Colapinto, who both dropped out at the Q1 stage of qualifying for the Sprint.

Sergio Perez and Franco Colapinto face Qatar GP pit-lane start

The cars go into parc ferme conditions after Sprint qualifying, though the stewards have reported that suspension changes have been made on Perez’s Red Bull RB20 and Colapinto’s FW46, constituting a breach and making a pit-lane start for both drivers likely.

FIA F1 technical delegate Jo Bauer reported: “Changes to the set up of the suspension have been made on car numbers 11 and 43.

“Therefore these cars should now be required to start the Sprint from the pit lane according to Article 40.9 b) of the 2024 Formula One Sporting Regulations.”

More to follow….