Many did not expect it, but we predicted that Max Verstappen would take pole in the Qatar Grand Prix. And so it happened, the Dutch world champion will start tomorrow from first place!
After the first timed laps of Q1, George Russell, Lando Norris and Max Verstappen took the lead, but the situation seemed very open. Carlos Sainz, for example, came in third, as did Fernando Alonso… Ultimately, the stage ended with Russell and two Ferraris in the top three, while two Williams drivers, Liam Lawson, Nico Hülkenberg and Esteban Ocon, went into the eliminations.
In Q2, Max Verstappen started in the leading position, followed by Oscar Piastri and George Russell, and it was clear that Red Bull Racing was getting better and better at the race. McLaren did the same, or rather Norris, who took the leading position after the last attempt in Q2, but Verstappen still managed to find something, finishing ahead of Norris and Leclerc. The two Alfas were able to go for a shower, accompanied by Pierre Gasly, Yuki Tsunoda and Lance Stroll.
After the first shots in Q3 Russell was in the lead against resurgent rivals Red Bull, but in the end the Dutchman pulled himself together and got things going so well that he easily took the pole ahead of George Russell and Lando Norris. Tomorrow promises to be an exciting race as World Champion Max Verstappen could start from pole, while McLaren, who are fighting for the Constructors' title, look forward to the Qatar Grand Prix from a better position.
