Qatar GP: Red Bull’s Max Verstappen dominates qualifying to close on title, George Russell P2 ahead of Lewis Hamilton
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Published 06/10/2023 at 20:26 GMT
Max Verstappen has one hand on a third successive World Championship following a dominant performance in qualifying for the Qatar Grand Prix on Sunday. The Red Bull driver will start Sunday’s race in pole position but only needs to avoid losing by six points or more to Sergio Perez in Saturday’s Sprint Race to secure another title. "Great start to the weekend,” he said.
'Very proud moment' - Verstappen on Red Bull winning constructors' title
Red Bull’s Max Verstappen raced to pole position at the Qatar Grand Prix after a dominant display in qualifying on Friday, with Mercedes' George Russell in P2.
The Dutchman only needed one run in the final qualifying session to secure the top position on the grid, as he closes in on a third successive Drivers’ Championship.
Verstappen can clinch the title in Saturday’s sprint race, as long as he doesn’t lose six or more points to Sergio Perez.
"Great start to the weekend,” Verstappen said after a successful qualifying session. “It's quite tricky out there.
“The new tarmac, it still needs to rubber in but very happy to be on pole. It's been a good day for us.”
Looking ahead to Sunday’s race, he added: "I want to win it. We put it on pole, so naturally you want tot win the race but let's make sure we have a good day tomorrow as well.
“I think the car is quick. Of course, tomorrow, it's again going to be a bit more difficult to get the tyres ready to work well, with the sand coming onto the track as well."
Mercedes pair Russell and Lewis Hamilton capitalised on penalties for McLaren duo Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri for exceeding track limits, to move up to second and third respectively.
Russell initially finished third, with Norris and Piastri second and fourth.
"It was a really tricky day for everybody,” Russell explained, echoing Verstappen’s words. “The new tarmac was really slippery and all the sand is blowing onto the track.
“We went out in qualifying and the lap times were just immense compared to the times we were doing this morning. That was good fun.”
"Not particularly happy with myself," Piastri said, following his drop to P6. “Very, very scruffy on that last lap. Bit more on the table but I'll take a top three.
"[Another podium] would be nice. It's been a very different experience this weekend compared to Suzuka. Straight into today and very, very slippery track.
“It's been a learning curve but we'll try our best.”
Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso took fourth spot while Ferrari's Charles Leclerc will start in fifth position.
Leclerc’s team-mate Carlos Sainz failed to make it into the top 10, as did Verstappen’s fellow Red Bull driver Perez, who was eliminated in Q2.
With the grid decided for Sunday’s race, attention switches to Saturday’s decisive sprint event, which will be in the form of a qualifying session followed by a short race.
Friday’s qualifying results
- 1. Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
- 2. George Russell (Mercedes)
- 3. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)
- 4. Fernando Alonso (Mercedes)
- 5. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)
- 6. Oscar Piastri (McLaren)
- 7. Pierre Gasly (Alpine)
- 8. Esteban Ocon (Alpine)
- 9. Valtteri Bottas (Alfa Romeo)
- 10. Lando Norris (McLaren)
- 11. Yuki Tsunoda (Alpha Tauri)
- 12. Carlos Sainz (Ferrari)
- 13. Sergio Perez (Red Bull)
- 14. Alex Albon (Williams)
- 15. Nico Hulkenberg (Haas)
- 16. Logan Sargeant (Williams)
- 17. Lance Stroll (Aston Martin)
- 18. Liam Lawson (Alpha Tauri)
- 19. Kevin Magnussen (Haas)
- 20. Zhou Guanyu (Alfa Romeo)
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