Verstappen rings in Qatar: he’s on pole position. Ferrari still behind McLarens

Max Verstappen on pole in Qatar GP

Max Verstappen responds to those who, after the anonymous eighth place in the Sprint Race, had spoken of a certain "relaxation" post-win of the Formula 1 World Championship: the Dutchman in fact conquers the pole position in Qatar, thanks to the time of 1:20.520 recorded in the third and final qualifying session at the Lusail circuit.

Next to him scatterà the Mercedes of George Russell, second at just 55 thousandths. On the second row, however, will be the two McLarens: Lando Norris è third, 252 thousandths behind Verstappen, Oscar Piastri è fourth with a best lap 309 thousandths slower than the one recorded by Red Bull's Dutchman.

Still a disappointing session for the Ferraris, in the running for the Constructors’ title: Charles Leclerc did not è go beyond the fifth best time and will therefore be on the third row, two positions back (in the middle is the Monegasque’s next teammate, Lewis Hamilton) will start Carlos Sainz instead. Completing the Top 10 are Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin), Sergio Perez (Red Bull) and Kevin Magnussen (Haas).

On the sixth row will be Pierre Gasly’s Alpine and Zhou Guanyu’s Kick Sauber; on the seventh row will be the Chinese driver’s teammate Valtteri Bottas and Yuki Tsunoda’s Vcarb; on the eighth row will start Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll and Williams’ Alex Albon; on the ninth row will be Vcarb’s Liam Lawson and Haas’ Nico Hulkenberg; at the back will be Williams’ Franco Colapinto and Alpine’s Esteban Ocon.