Verstappen claims Qatar Grand Prix pole as penalties shuffle grid
Posted : 07 October 2023
Max Verstappen secured pole position at the Qatar Grand Prix with an impressive single run in the final qualifying session. However, Mercedes drivers George Russell and Lewis Hamilton were promoted to second and third place due to penalties for McLaren's Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri.
Both Norris and Piastri had originally secured second and fourth positions, with Russell in between, but their lap times were invalidated for exceeding track limits.
Fernando Alonso of Aston Martin will start from the fourth position on the grid, followed by Ferrari's Charles Leclerc in fifth place. Unfortunately for Ferrari, Carlos Sainz failed to make it into the top 10 shootout.
The qualifying session determined the starting grid for the grand prix on Sunday. Verstappen, the championship leader, has a chance to secure the title during the weekend, depending on his performance in the sprint event on Saturday.
He will become the champion if he doesn't lose more than six points to his Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez. The sprint event awards points to the top eight finishers, with the winner receiving eight points.
The penalties for Norris and Piastri added a touch of humor to the post-session interviews. George Russell initially asked for Lando Norris, only to discover that Piastri was there instead. Piastri himself was informed of his penalty right as he was finishing his interview.
Piastri had initially secured the sixth position on the grid, while Norris will start from the 10th position. They will be behind the Alpines of Pierre Gasly and Esteban Ocon, as well as Alfa Romeo's Valtteri Bottas.
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