Qatar Grand Prix – Qualifying: Max Verstappen regains pole and frustrates Russell

We hadn’t seen him take pole position in a Grand Prix since Austria last July. Since then, Max Verstappen has become a four-time world champion and is regaining confidence in his car. This is the 41st pole position of his career.

Verstappen – Russell: the one-on-one

From an accounting point of view, if there was a duel this season, it was between Max Verstappen and Lando Norris. But during this qualifying session in Qatar, it was George Russell who came to bother the Red Bull driver. From Q1, the intentions of the Mercedes driver are clear: he wants to make a big impact and try to go for a second consecutive victory. He sets the fastest time in Q1. Max Verstappen responds and takes the best lap of Q2. Everything will be decided in Q3 and in this game, George Russell seems to be the big winner. After a successful first attempt, followed by an even better second lap, the Briton is in the lead… temporarily. At the checkered flag, the Red Bull driver edges out George Russell by just 55 hundredths! He is back in pole position.

McLaren takes the lead over Ferrari.

The latest battles in the championship are mainly in the constructors’ standings. McLaren is leading, but Ferrari is lurking close behind, even though the task seems daunting. For this reason, the Reds cannot afford any mistakes in qualifying. However, the Ferraris seem slightly below the pace of their English rival. This trend is confirmed despite the late resurgence of McLaren in Q3. Indeed, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri come out of their garage late. Lando Norris fails on his first attempt and they are never really threatening enough to secure pole position. But it is ultimately enough to set some good lap times in the final moments and start tomorrow ahead of Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz.

Gasly misses the shot by a hair, Alpine in danger

It is a big disappointment for Alpine. Pierre Gasly is in good shape, showing good times but comes out of this qualifying session frustrated. He is eliminated at the last second and misses Q3 by twelve thousandths! Sergio Perez is the lucky one who barely makes it through. Moreover, in the constructor standings, Haas has the advantage over Alpine. The American team is 3 points ahead in the championship and Kevin Magnussen will start 10th tomorrow. On the contrary, their teammates will start from the back of the grid, from the last position for Esteban Ocon, and from 18th for Nico Hülkenberg. This promises some exciting battles for tomorrow!

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