Many people didn't expect it, but we would have bet on Max Verstappen taking pole for the Qatar Grand Prix. And so it was: the Dutch world champion will start from pole position tomorrow!
After the first timed laps of Q1, the order was George Russell, Lando Norris, and Max Verstappen, but the race looked set to be a long one. Carlos Sainz and Fernando Alonso, for example, were also in third place. Ultimately, the stage ended with Russell winning, with both Ferraris in the top three, while the two Williams drivers, Liam Lawson, Nico Hülkenberg, and Esteban Ocon, were eliminated.
In Q2, Max Verstappen led the way, followed by Oscar Piastri and George Russell setting the pace, and it was clear that Red Bull Racing was increasingly capturing the pace. However, McLaren also followed suit, specifically Norris, who after his final attempt in Q2, moved into first place, but Verstappen managed to find something more and finished ahead of Norris and Leclerc. The two Alfas, however, were joined by Pierre Gasly, Yuki Tsunoda, and Lance Stroll to go for the showers.
After the first few attempts in Q3, Russell was ahead of resurgent rival Red Bull, but in the end, the Dutchman focused so much and things aligned in such a way that he easily took pole position, ahead of George Russell and Lando Norris. Therefore, an exciting race is expected tomorrow, as already world champion Max Verstappen will start from the front row, while McLaren, fighting for the constructors' title, awaits from a better position at the Qatar Grand Prix.
