Four-time F1 World Champion Max Verstappen loses the Qatar Grand Prix pole position, penalized one place for driving unnecessarily slowly ahead of Mercedes’ George Russel, who becomes the new poleman in Lusail.
Newly-crowned four-time Formula 1 World Champion Max Verstappen took and lost the Qatar Grand Prix pole position under the floodlights in the Middle East due to an incident with Mercedes’ George Russell, who finished just 0.055 seconds adrift of the pole.
Red Bull Racing and Verstappen were summoned to the Stewards for driving unnecessarily slowly during qualifying on his cooldown lap, appearing to impede Russell about to start his lap.
Mercedes and Russell also reported to the Stewards.
“I ended up going through the gravel all over the floor, so it felt like the floor was scraping over that curb and through the gravel,” Russell previously asserted once qualifying ended.
“I hope it didn’t damage it. Maybe that’s the reason why we didn’t improve. I don’t know. But it was a bit hairy one, two corners before we started the lap.”
In an official document, the FIA released the Stewards’ decision on the incident, establishing: “Drop of one grid position for the next race in which the driver participates and one penalty point (total of 6 for the 12 month period).”
DOC 49 – Infringement – Car 1 – Alleged driving unnecessarily slowly https://t.co/nVLPv627jK #QatarGP #F1 #FIA pic.twitter.com/Xan5EJq4gC
— FIA (@fia) November 30, 2024
Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri took third and fourth place for McLaren, respectively, battling for the Constructors’ World championship.
Meanwhile, the Milton Keynes outfit also improved Sergio Perez RB20 pace; the Mexican driver secured a race start from P9.
Earlier on Saturday, the Bulls delivered a disappointing showing, finishing the sixth and final Sprint of the season – won by Piastri – P8, Verstappen’s worst F1 Sprint result in 2024.
In his post-Sprint race interview, the Dutchman said: “I just had no grip. The balance was a disaster, and on cold tires, this is exacerbated. It was practically a rally car!
“We can change some things, but not the root of the problem. We’re going to adjust some things, but I don’t expect any miracles.”
In addition, Perez crossed the finish line last, starting the race from the pits – the squad changed the suspension setup under Parc Ferme – overtaken by the Williams of Franco Colapinto after a slow start.
The incident earned the 34-year-old driver his first reprimand…
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at Racing News Articles…