Max Verstappen He needs just three points in Qatar this weekend to mathematically secure his third world title. and most likely tomorrow, on Saturday, the champion will be declared in the sprint race. Today, as a preview, the Red Bull driver was fastest in both the grand prix’s first and only free practice and qualifying, which earned him his tenth pole position of the season and will allow him to open qualifying. The grid for Sunday’s main race.
First contact with the completely revamped Losail asphalt caused some concern among the leading teams, who saw a worrying lack of grip. However, the morning reference was of no use in qualifying sessions that were planned to be held at night, such as the two races of the weekend. High temperatures (34 degrees) and changes at the Qatar circuit led to multiple surprises, including the recovery of Aston Martin and Fernando Alonso, who would qualify fifth.
Q1: Alonso and Stroll, heads and tails
The Asturian finished fourth in Free Practice 1. It is the best with medium tires and also gave good feelings in qualifying. As track conditions and handling improved, Alonso rose to the top spot. Verstappen started from the front again (1.25.007), ahead Norris and FernandoRed Bull is two-tenths third. The Ferraris were more cautious; Leclerc finished sixth and Sainz ninth. There is a surprise among the five eliminated in the first heat: Lance Stroll, who has become increasingly distant and lost from his teammate’s performance in Aston Martin. Sargeant, Lawson, Magnussen and Zhou also fell.
Q2: Sainz eliminated
Verstappen, who focused on his goal and had less understeer than some of his rivals, shortened his time by 2.5 percent in the first quarter with used soft tires, while Mercedes came on the scene with new tires for the first time and improved Russell and Hamilton Gasly. and Alonso’s time. However, the McLarens, who took the lead in the provisional standings with Norris (1.24.685) and Piastri, were yet to arrive.
sainzThe player, who was in the fourteenth place with two minutes remaining, played the game with an extreme turn. Trying to avoid the risky area. This was not enough and Checo Pérez left the Madrid player out. The stewards stripped the Mexican pilot of his fastest lap for exceeding track limits, but Sainz was also eliminated against Bottas. Tsunoda, Albon and Hülkenberg did not participate in the race for pole position. Entering the third quarter, Alonso remains the only driver to have achieved this in each of the 17 races held so far this year.
Q3: Tenth pole for Max
Alongside Mercedes, McLaren and Alpine, Verstappen, Leclerc, Alonso and Bottas also advanced to the decisive round. Stewards canceled Norris and Leclerc’s first attempt, while Verstappen took provisional pole position after setting the best time of the weekend (1.23.778). Mercedes were half a second clear on the first lap.
There was one last attempt left and everything was pointing towards Mercedes-McLaren’s fight against Verstappen; The rest, including Leclerc and Alonso, had no chance of troubling them. Norris made a mistake in the second sector and was still two tenths behind Verstappen, who abandoned his final lap. While Russell, Piastri and Hamilton completed the top five, Alonso managed to make the most of his car and finish sixth.
After qualifying, it was announced that Norris’ lap was canceled and Russell remained in second place, ahead of Piastri and Hamilton, and Fernando remained in fifth place.