After an epic qualifying lap from newly-crowned four-time champion Max Verstappen clinched pole place for Crimson Bull, it’s really Mercedes’ George Russell who will begin first on the grid for the Qatar Grand Prix.
That was because of Verstappen selecting up a one-place penalty for driving unnecessarily slowly throughout the session. It places the Dutchman second forward of the McLaren duo of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, who managed Saturday’s F1 Dash to offer their group most factors.
REPORT: Russell promoted to pole after Verstappen had taken shock P1 in Qatar by simply 0.055s
Meaning extra work to do for Ferrari, who’re making an attempt to overtake McLaren for the 2024 constructors’ crown. Charles Leclerc begins fifth and Carlos Sainz seventh, the scarlet automobiles break up on the grid by the Mercedes of Lewis Hamilton.
An excellent Q3 lap from Fernando Alonso places Aston Martin eighth for the beginning, with Crimson Bull’s Sergio Perez and the Haas of Kevin Magnussen finishing the highest ten. Different notable qualifying showings got here from the Kick Saubers, with Zhou Guanyu and Valtteri Bottas twelfth and thirteenth respectively.
