The Dutch Max Verstappen (Red Bull)who was proclaimed world champion for the fourth consecutive time last week, will start from pole position on Sunday at the Qatar Grand Prix, after being the fastest this Saturday in qualifying held at the Losail circuit.
Verstappen, who certified his title in Las Vegas, surpassed the British George Russell (Mercedes) and Lando Norris (McLaren).
‘Mad Max’ scored the 41st pole position of his Formula 1 career, the ninth this season, but the first since the Austrian Grand Prix at the end of June.
This is crazy, I didn’t expect it at all, bravo to the team for giving me such an improved car. We made some changes to the car after the sprint, but I don’t think this will have that much effect. “I’m happy to be on pole… It’s been such a long time!” said the Dutchman.
Russell thought he had taken pole position, but Verstappen ‘stole’ first place in the final moments by just 55 thousandths of a second.
McLaren, which had achieved a double in the sprint a few hours earlier -Oscar Piastri was first and Lando Norris second-, once again finished ahead of Ferrari, leaving itself in a favorable position in the fight for the world constructors’ title.
Battle between the builders
Norris and Piastri will start from third and fourth position, while for the ‘Scuderia’ Charles Leclerc will start from fifth place and Carlos Sainz from seventh, separated by seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes).
“I felt the car a little betterbut we have reached the limit of the car. When you are three or four tenths away it means that there is no more… If anything happens and we cut points it won’t have been that complicated, so we have to wait,” said Sainz about the fight for the Constructors’ World Championship.
McLaren has 30 points over Ferrari and he needs to leave Losail with 44 to certify the world constructors’ title.
After the Qatar GP, Formula 1 will close the 2024 season in Abu Dhabi on December 8.
The Spanish veteran Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin), which will reach 400 grands prix in Formula 1 on Sunday, a record, will start eighth. The Top-10 is completed by the Mexican Sergio Pérez (Red Bull) and the Dane Kevin Magnussen (Haas).
I would like to finish in the points in one of the two races… I hope we secure them this Sunday to go to Abu Dhabi to enjoy,” said Alonso, 43, about his goals in the final two races.
