Quicker again from Max Verstappen as the world champion does a 1:25.612.

Yuki Tsunoda's tyres are warming up as he regains top spot with a 1:25.970.

George Russell's first timed effort sees him go third quickest, seven tenths off Tsunoda's time.

The sun is slowly setting and something about his helmet is bothering Max Verstappen as he says he needs to change it.

Almost everyone is out now just over five minutes into the session as Sergio Perez does a lap that is 1.117 seconds slower than Max Verstappen's 1:26.338.

And then Max Verstappen swiftly shaves two seconds off that time.

Yuki Tsunoda tops the early timings as he sets a 1:28.526 on medium tyres.

How will Max Verstappen approach this weekend now the pressure of a title race is off? He's out on the track now, a fourth star added on to his helmet.

Alpine are the first to head out onto the circuit, but they won't be alone for long. This will be a busy session.

Off we go with one hour of practice for the Qatar Grand Prix.

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Current drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri were not even born the last time McLaren won the drivers' championship.

They last won it in 1998, when Mika Hakkinen and David Coulthard combined to take the title.

It was a double-championship winning season that year, with Hakkinen winning the drivers' trophy.

Max Verstappen may have wrapped up the drivers' title but in the constructors' championship, the fight is still ongoing.

McLaren lead second-placed Ferrari by 24 points after the race in Las Vegas with the Scuderia finishing higher and claiming a podium place through Carlos Sainz.

Reigning champions Red Bull are still in third place, 53 points adrift of McLaren and 29 points behind Ferrari.

Andrew Benson
BBC F1 correspondent

Image source, Getty Images

Max Verstappen says his fourth consecutive world title came after a "very challenging" season and he is "hungry" to bid for more success in 2025.

The Red Bull driver's fifth place in the Las Vegas Grand Prix last weekend put his points total beyond the reach of his closest rival, McLaren’s Lando Norris.

"It was a very challenging season," Verstappen said. "Also as a person at times it was very challenging and I had to be calm.

"In a way I still prefer last season. I enjoyed it a lot, but I think this season, it has taught me a lot of lessons.

"I am very proud of us as a team and in a way that makes it a very special and beautiful season."

It is the final sprint weekend of the season and that means there's just the one practice session for the whole weekend. Sprint qualifying takes place later today.

First practice: 13:30-14:30 GMT( BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra, BBC Sounds and smart speakers)

Sprint qualifying: 17:30-18:14 (BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra, BBC Sounds and smart speakers)

Here's how it looks at the top of the drivers' championship. Max Verstappen's lead, as we know, is unassailable, but second is sill up for grabs with Lando Norris currently in the driving seat. There's 21 points between him and Charles Leclerc.

Image source, Getty Images

The battle for the drivers' championship is over as Max Verstappen secured his fourth consecutive title in Las Vegas last weekend.

There will have been lots of celebrating over the last few days but it is back to business now with two races remaining.

And while the individual title may be wrapped up there is still the constructors' championship to be decided before the chequered flag comes down on the season.