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.
F1 Qatar GP LIVE: Qualifying!
So... who we backing today?!
McLaren have set the early pace so far this weekend with sprint pole and race win, but can Ferrari, Mercedes and a below-par Red Bull respond?
Qualifying at the Lusail International Circuit is coming up in five minutes!
F1 Qatar GP LIVE: Qualifying odds!
Pole position odds:
- Lando Norris - 8/11
- Oscar Piastri - 4/1
- George Russell - 6/1
- Charles Leclerc - 9/1
- Carlos Sainz - 10/1
- Max Verstappen - 12/1
- Lewis Hamilton - 16/1
What are the start times in Qatar?
All times GMT
Saturday 30 November
- Qualifying: 6pm
Sunday 1 December
- Race: 4pm
SPRINT REPORT: Lando Norris hands Oscar Piastri victory as McLaren take one-two in Qatar GP sprint
Oscar Piastri won the sprint race in Qatar ahead of team-mate Lando Norris as McLaren closed in on a first constructors’ title in 26 years.
Much has been made of Norris’ lacklustre starts this season but the British driver blasted away from pole before playing the team game to help Piastri.
Norris then moved over for Piastri at the final bend after they traded positions in Brazil earlier this month.
George Russell finished third, while Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc were fourth and fifth respectively for Ferrari.
McLaren, who last won the team title in 1998, now hold a 30-point lead over Ferrari with 88 points to play for over the final two races.
Full report below:
Lando Norris hands Oscar Piastri victory as McLaren take one-two in Qatar GP sprint
The surprise ending helped McLaren close in on a first constructors’ title since 1998
F1 Qatar GP LIVE: George Russell, after finishing third...
“It was very close going into turn one on a couple of occasions, it was frustrating for Lando giving the DRS to Oscar. It was pretty infuriating!
“Q3 this afternoon is going to be the important one.”
TOP-8 IN THE QATAR GP SPRINT:
1. Oscar Piastri
2. Lando Norris
3. George Russell
4. Carlos Sainz
5. Charles Leclerc
6. Lewis Hamilton
7. Nico Hulkenberg
8. Max Verstappen
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