WEEKEND WARM-UP: The paddock chat from Losail ahead of the debut Qatar Grand Prix

Anticipation is building ahead of the first-ever Qatar Grand Prix that takes place this weekend at Losail International Circuit – so what did the drivers have to say ahead of the race?

A new theatre hosts the continuing and evolving battle between Mercedes and Red Bull, Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen – the teams split by just 11 points and the drivers separated by 14. After their spirited scrap in Brazil, there's also the question over whether the fallout will spill into Qatar, with the Silver Arrows having requested a 'right of review' over the Lap 48 incident last weekend.

Ferrari land in Qatar with a healthy lead of 31.5 points over rivals McLaren. Will the Scuderia hold on and take P3 in the championship?

Then there's the news that Antonio Giovinazzi will no longer be driving for Alfa Romeo in 2022, instead to be replaced by young hotshot Guanyu Zhou. The Chinese driver will make history as the first full-time racer from his country when he partners Valtteri Bottas next season.

Watch Weekend Warm-Up with Rosanna Tennant and Lawrence Barretto in the video player above.