Qatar GP Qualifying: Max Verstappen storms back after Sprint woe to pip George Russell to pole

Max Verstappen claimed his first Grand Prix pole position in five months for Sunday’s race in Qatar ahead of George Russell – although faces a post-session investigation for an incident with his Mercedes rival.

Just hours after struggling to an eighth-place finish in the 19-lap Sprint around the Lusail International Circuit, Red Bull set-up changes in the break between sessions appeared to absolutely transform their car and Verstappen took full advantage to claim his first podium since June’s Austrian GP and just second in the last 16 races.

Verstappen, who clinched his fourth successive Drivers’ Championship last week in Las Vegas, topped Q2 but was behind Russell after the first laps of the final stage before turning the tables with a lap of 1:20.520 on the final run to pip the Briton by 0.055s.

But Verstappen will head to the stewards on Saturday evening for allegedly driving too slowly during an out lap late in the session, when a fast Russell came up behind the Red Bull in the final corner and had to take evasive action to avoid a collision.

Sprint victors McLaren slipped to the second row with Lando Norris third ahead of Oscar Piastri in fourth.

Norris’ Q3 was compromised by a mistake at Turn Five on his first attempt, when he went wide and put wheels in the gravel.

Charles Leclerc was fifth for Ferrari with Lewis Hamilton sixth in the second Mercedes after again failing to match team-mate Russell’s pace.

More to follow…

Sky Sports F1’s live Qatar GP schedule

Sunday December 1
10.55am: F1 Academy Race Two
12.15pm: F2 Feature Race
2.30pm: Grand Prix Sunday: Qatar GP build-up
4pm: THE QATAR GRAND PRIX
6pm: Chequered Flag: Qatar GP reaction
7pm: Ted’s Notebook

Formula 1’s season-ending triple-header continues this weekend with the Qatar Grand Prix, live on Sky Sports F1. Get Sky Sports F1 or stream with NOW

Source link