Qatar Grand Prix – Qualifications : Max Verstappen knocks everyone out again

The Q1

It’s Max Verstappen who kicked off the hostilities. The Dutchman set a first time of 1:26’884”, over a second faster than his teammate, Sergio Perez. As the single-seaters passed by, the sand was removed from the track. The situation benefits Fernando Alonso who takes the provisional best time 13 minutes from the end. Pierre Gasly achieves a very good first time with a mark less than a tenth of the Aston Martin pilot.

After a different strategy, the two Mercedes completed their first fast lap in the second part of this session. This proved to be rewarding as George Russell signed the provisional second time, just ahead of Lewis Hamilton.

On a second run, Charles Leclerc takes the best lap in 1:25’452″. Sergio Perez remains half a second behind the Monegasque. Best reference taken by Lando Norris, for his first counted loop in 1:25’131″. But Max Verstappen is faster by a tenth than the Briton.

The eliminated: Zhou, Magnussen, Lawson, Stroll, Sargeant

The Q2

For this second session, Oscar Piastri is the first to set a mark, in 1:25’745”, ahead of Carlos Sainz by 53 thousandths. Pierre Gasly, managed to drive faster than everyone, before Max Verstappen put everyone in agreement, with a 1:24’758”.

Despite an increasingly fading track, the two Mercedes cars that started staggered, cannot beat the Dutchman (on worn tires), with the best provisional mark. Carlos Sainz is the first driver to fit a second set of new tires. His first attempt is not good as he messed up and had to cut his effort. This leaves him outside the top 10 with less than 4 minutes to the end of Q2.

Oscar Piastri manages to achieve the best time, before being beaten by Lando Norris. Max Verstappen was obviously stung as he stuck two tenths to the two McLarens at the checkered flag. But it’s Lewis Hamilton who is the fastest in Q2 with a 1:24’381”.

Sergio Perez was eliminated for exceeding his track limits.

The eliminated: Hülkenberg, Albon, Perez, Sainz, Tsunoda.

The Q3

Charles Leclerc wanted to leave right away to ensure a time. But in the triple right, he lost control of his Ferrari. He still managed to recover it, but had to stop his effort.

Lando Norris, on his first attempt, beats Max Verstappen’s benchmark, during Q2, with a time of 1:24:0′, before the time is erased. Max Verstappen himself accomplishes a 1:23’778”, without going off the track. The two Mercedes, with Hamilton in front of Russell, follow the Dutchman.

The Red Bull driver did not try to improve his mark and returned to the pits during his second attempt. Lando Norris was able to get closer to Max Verstappen with a time three-tenths slower. But his time was annulled. George Russell is finally second. Oscar Piastri, initially third, also had his time cancelled. He will start in sixth place. It is Lewis Hamilton who will eventually start in 3rd place.

The two Alpines are 7th (Galsy) and 8th (Ocon).

The ranking