Behind polesitter Max Verstappen, who will land his third title if he scores three points in the Saturday sprint race at Losail, Mercedes drivers George Russell and Hamilton snared second and third place in Friday night qualifying for the Qatar GP.
But the duo were only bumped up after faster McLaren drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri both belatedly had their final Q3 lap times deleted for exceeding track limits.
Verstappen’s impressive performance secured him the pole position for the upcoming race, putting him on track to potentially claim his third championship title. However, all eyes were on the battle for second and third place in the qualifying session.
Mercedes Drivers Shine in Qualifying
George Russell and Lewis Hamilton, representing Mercedes, showcased their skills by securing the second and third positions on the grid, respectively. Their strong performances highlighted the competitiveness of the Mercedes team and their determination to challenge Verstappen for the top spot.
Controversy Strikes McLaren Drivers
Meanwhile, McLaren drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri initially appeared to have secured impressive lap times, placing them above their Mercedes rivals. However, their joy was short-lived as their final Q3 lap times were later invalidated due to exceeding track limits. This setback pushed Norris and Piastri further down the grid rankings, ultimately benefiting the Mercedes drivers.
A Thrilling Saturday Sprint Race Ahead
With Verstappen in pole position and Russell and Hamilton starting from the second and third positions, respectively, the stage is set for an exhilarating Saturday sprint race at Losail. Verstappen’s title hopes hang in the balance, as he needs to score a minimum of three points in this race to secure his championship victory.
The battle for the podium promises to be intense, with Mercedes drivers eager to capitalize on their qualifying success and challenge Verstappen for the win. Additionally, Norris and Piastri will be determined to make their way back up the grid and prove their worth after the disappointing qualifying outcome.