Lewis Hamilton's new low as Max Verstappen not helped - Qatar Grand Prix qualifying in full
Oscar Piastri and Max Verstappen are desperately trying keep their title challenges to Lando Norris alive ahead of the Qatar Grand Prix while Lewis Hamilton's struggles continue
Everything you need to know about Qatar Grand Prix qualifying ahead of Sunday's race
- Lewis Hamilton's Qualifying Struggles: Lewis Hamilton experienced a deeply disappointing qualifying session, marking his second consecutive exit in the first segment, Q1. While he initially qualified 18th, he moved up one spot to 17th due to a rival's penalty, capping a frustrating sequence of results for the seven-time champion.
- Hamilton's Rare Historical Low: Hamilton’s back-to-back Q1 eliminations placed him in unusual company within the history of Ferrari drivers. The only other two to have suffered this particular fate were non-full-time racers who had been brought in to temporarily replace the injured Felipe Massa in 2009.
- Gabriel Bortoleto Receives a Penalty: Gabriel Bortoleto, who finished 14th fastest, was hit with a five-place grid penalty that carried over from the previous race. This penalty was for causing a collision in Las Vegas where he was unable to serve the time penalty because he retired from the race.
- Max Verstappen's Teammate Unhelpful: Championship contender Max Verstappen needed his teammate, Yuki Tsunoda, to perform strongly and qualify high to assist his title challenge. However, Tsunoda struggled to an unhelpful 16th place, meaning Verstappen will lack a supporting car near the front of the grid.
- Pierre Gasly's Strong Performance: Pierre Gasly delivered a surprisingly strong performance for the Alpine team, managing to out-qualify his teammate and successfully secure a spot in the final qualifying segment, Q3. His successful run into the top ten positions was met with an enthusiastic and celebratory reaction over his team radio.
- Charles Leclerc's Difficult Session: Charles Leclerc managed to qualify for Q3 despite footage showing he was constantly battling to control his Ferrari car. This struggle culminated in a violent spin on his first attempt in the final segment, resulting in him posting the slowest lap time among the remaining ten drivers.
- Oscar Piastri Secures Pole Position: The dramatic qualifying session concluded with Oscar Piastri claiming an impressive pole position. This victory is crucial for the Australian, as it keeps his championship hopes alive by requiring him to avoid being outscored by his teammate by four or more points in the race.
- Lando Norris's Crucial Mistake: Piastri's teammate, Lando Norris, narrowly missed out on pole after making a crucial mistake on his final flying lap. Consequently, he starts second on the less-favourable "dirty side" of the track, with his primary title rival Max Verstappen lining up just behind him in third.
- READ THE FULL STORY: Qatar Grand Prix starting order as Lewis Hamilton crisis worsens and grid penalty applied
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