F1 Qatar GP LIVE: Max Verstappen stripped of pole position after qualifying with George Russell promoted
Verstappen was stripped of pole, with George Russell promoted, after the FIA announced the world champion had impeded his rival
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Your support makes all the difference.Mercedes driver George Russell has been promoted to pole position for the Qatar Grand Prix after Red Bull’s Max Verstappen was penalised one place for impeding his rival, the FIA has announced.
Verstappen started sixth and finished only eighth in the earlier sprint race won by Oscar Piastri as McLaren edged closer to their first constructors’ title in 26 years.
But the Dutch driver returned to form for qualifying for Sunday’s 57-lap main event by seeing off Mercedes’ George Russell by just 0.055 seconds to take both his and Red Bull’s first pole since Austria exactly five months ago.
However, at 1:06 local time, more than three hours after qualifying ended, it was confirmed that Verstappen had been penalised one place for impeding Russell as both drivers geared up for their final laps.
Lando Norris, who handed team-mate Piastri victory in the sprint race earlier on Saturday – with McLaren securing a one-two finish to move 30 points clear of Ferrari – remains third, 0.252sec back.
What time is the Qatar Grand Prix?
Time GMT
Sunday 1 December
- Race: 4pm
F1 Qatar GP LIVE: Max Verstappen after finishing on pole...
“Crazy! I did not expect that, well done to the team to give me a car which feels a bit more connected. I felt a lot better about there.
“We changed a bit on the car but I never thought it would make such a swing in performance. It felt a lot more stable over one lap. Very happy to be on pole, it’s been a while.
“It’s going to be a tough race physically and on the tyres. It’s all about managing that. It’s all very close behind, they were all quick.”
F1 Qatar GP LIVE: George Russell after qualifying second..
“It’s been a great run, the last four qualifyings we’ve been on the front row everyone! Feeling in a groove at the moment, my first lap was one of the best I’ve ever done. Max pipped me, but the car has been so great the last two weekends.
On being blocked by Max: “I went through the gravel, hope it didn’t damage the floor. It was a hairy one two corners before we start the lap.”
“These have been great races for us. Pace in Vegas was true, the pace this weekend is real - it’s nice to be in the mix once again.”
F1 Qatar GP LIVE: Max Verstappen under investigation
George Russell believes Verstappen held him up, dangerously, on an out-lap.
It looked a bit close for comfort... but I think the Red Bull man should be fine!
Here’s the incident below:
F1 Qatar GP LIVE: Lando Norris after qualifying P3...
“Not the position we were hoping for but the maximum we could do, for sure. My lap was pretty good but just not quick enough.
“Everyone saw how close it was between all of us, not a lot in it! We showed good racepace today, I was in clean air, but I expect a tougher race tomorrow.”
F1 Qatar GP LIVE: TOP-10 IN QUALIFYING
1. Max Verstappen - 1:20:520
2. George Russell - +0.055
3. Lando Norris - +0.252
4. Oscar Piastri - +0.309
5. Charles Leclerc - +0.332
6. Lewis Hamilton - +0.491
7. Carlos Sainz - +0.521
8. Fernando Alonso - +0.731
9. Sergio Perez - +0.905
10. Kevin Magnussen - +0.980
F1 Qatar GP LIVE: Max Verstappen on pole position!
Max Verstappen claims pole! By less than a tenth to George Russell!
Bit of a shock and a turnaround from earlier today! His first pole since Austria in June!
3-10: Norris, Piastri, Leclerc, Hamilton, Sainz, Alonso, Perez, Magnussen
F1 Qatar GP LIVE: Norris backs off again!
Confirmed: Norris will just have one more shot then!
Final quali laps coming right up here!
F1 Qatar GP LIVE: Max Verstappen goes P2!
Verstappen goes quicker ahead of the final laps, to go second, just half-a-tenth down on Russell...
And Norris is actually going to go for two hot laps here!
4:00 to go in Q3...
F1 Qatar GP LIVE: George Russell on provisional pole!
Russell sets the timesheet alight, to go fastest by three-tenths to Charles Leclerc - with Lewis Hamilton in third!
4-10: Sainz, Piastri, Magnussen, Perez, Verstappen, Norris, Alonso
Lando Norris opted to dive into the pits on his hot lap after almost losing it at turn 5! He’ll only have one more chance for pole...
6:00 to go in Q1...
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