(Losail) Max Verstappen seized the lead position at the Formula 1 Qatar Grand Prix on Friday, a day shy of securing a third consecutive drivers’ championship.
Verstappen quickly posted an excellent time during the third and final stage of qualifying and he did not return to the track. Regardless, George Russell was only able to come within 441 thousandths of a second, in second place. Russell’s Mercedes teammate Lewis Hamilton took third place.
Quebecer Lance Stroll, aboard his Aston Martin, finished 17th, far behind his teammate Fernando Alonso, who will start from fourth place. A video also showed him in all his states, possibly pushing a member of his team out of the car. The interview that followed will go down in the annals of motor racing.
—We saw your frustration on the television screens. This means a lot to you, what are your emotions at the moment?
—Stroll: “Yeah, b****. »
—What’s not working for you while driving right now?
—Stroll: “I don’t know. »
—How does this change your mindset for the weekend? Is this now a practice session? Are you going to push hard for the sprint?
—Stroll: “I keep driving. »
Verstappen can secure the title by securing at least a sixth place in Saturday’s sprint race. This race will have its own qualifying, earlier on Saturday.
If it doesn’t work out for the Dutch driver on Saturday, the leading position is the best possible insurance for Sunday.
“It doesn’t change much. I just want to have a good weekend,” Verstappen said. Obviously, I know in the back of my mind that this is going to happen. It doesn’t add any extra pressure. I just want to enjoy the weekend and do my best. »
Verstappen’s Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez could do no better than 13th position heading into Sunday’s race. His best time was canceled because he went off the track. If his time had counted, the Mexican could have participated in the third stage of the qualifying session.
Even if Verstappen failed to capture the title on Saturday, during the sprint race, Perez will have to come back on Sunday and collect many more points than his teammate to keep the title race alive.
Russell has given no sign he will challenge Verstappen in Sunday’s race. Asked what he could do behind the Dutchman on the starting grid, Russell joked that he was going to “wave after the first corner”.
“Max did an exceptional job. He deserves to be the champion this year, added Russell. Obviously in Formula 1 you love racing, but we can’t take anything away from what he and Red Bull have achieved. We need to look in the mirror and raise our level next year to challenge him. »
There was disappointment at Ferrari, as Carlos Sainz Jr. qualified 12th, seven places further down than his teammate Charles Leclerc.
