Max Verstappen (Red Bull) will start from pole position for the Formula 1 Qatar Grand Prix, the 23rd round of 24 of the season, after setting the best qualifying time on Saturday evening at the Losail circuit. The Dutchman, crowned world champion for the fourth consecutive time last weekend in Las Vegas (United States), beat the British George Russell (Mercedes) and Lando Norris (McLaren).
An unexpected success
“Mad Max” thus won the 41st pole position of his career in F1, the ninth this season. But he had not obtained such a result since the Austrian Grand Prix at the end of June. “ It’s crazy. I really didn’t expect that, well done to the team for giving me a much better car. We made a few changes to the car after the sprint but I didn’t think it would have that much of an effect. I’m delighted to be on pole, it’s been a long time! “, savored Verstappen.
Russell, who won in Las Vegas and finished third in the sprint on Saturday afternoon, thought he would win these qualifications but the Dutchman stole first place from him in the final moments by only 55 thousandths of a second. McLaren, who had scored a double in the sprint a few hours earlier, once again got the better of Ferrari and remains in a strong position in the fight for the constructors’ world title.
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Norris and his Australian teammate Oscar Piastri will start in third and fourth positions, while the Scuderia will have to settle for the fifth and seventh places on the grid of the Monegasque Charles Leclerc and the Spaniard Carlos Sainz, who will be separated by the six-time champion of the British world Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes).
Disappointment at Alpine
Spanish veteran Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin), who should reach the symbolic mark of 400 Grand Prix starts on Sunday, a record, will start in eighth position. The Top 10 is completed by the Mexican Sergio Pérez (Red Bull) and the Dane Kevin Magnussen (Haas).
On the Alpine side, disappointment prevails since the Frenchman Pierre Gasly will start in 11th position after missing the third part of qualifying (Q3) by only 12 thousandths of a second, while his teammate and compatriot Esteban Ocon will be 20th and last place on the grid.
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