2024 F1 Qatar GP Qualifying Results: Full starting grid for the race
Max Verstappen pulled off a stunning final lap to deny George Russell the 2024 Qatar GP pole position. The Red Bull driver's miraculous comeback has come after an underwhelming outing in the Sprint race earlier on Saturday.
The qualifying session saw Russell miss out on the pole twice on the same race weekend after he missed out on the Sprint pole to Lando Norris on Friday. On Saturday, Russell was five-hundredths of a second slower than Verstappen, and on Friday, he was six-hundredths of a second slower.
Verstappen clocked a brilliant 1:20.520 to see himself on the pole for the first time since the 2024 Austrian Grand Prix. The McLaren duo of Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris, who claimed 1-2 in the Sprint, ended up qualifying in P4 and P3, respectively.
Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton grabbed the third starting row, whereas Carlos Sainz and Fernando Alonso will start from the fourth row on the grid. Red Bull's Sergio Perez and Haas' Kevin Magnussen wrapped up the top 10 starting positions.
Here's how the grid will look on Sunday for the Qatar GP:
1. Max Verstappen - Red Bull
2. George Russell - Mercedes
3. Lando Norris - McLaren
4. Oscar Piastri - McLaren
5. Charles Leclerc - Ferrari
6. Lewis Hamilton - Mercedes
7. Carlos Sainz - Ferrari
8. Fernando Alonso - Aston Martin
9. Sergio Perez - Red Bull
10. Kevin Magnussen - Haas
11. Pierre Gasly - Alpine
12. Zhou Guanyu - Sauber
13. Valtteri Bottas - Sauber
14. Yuki Tsunoda - RB
15. Lance Stroll - Aston Martin
16. Alex Albon - Williams
17. Liam Lawson - RB
18. Nico Hulkenberg - Haas
19. Franco Colapinto - Williams
20. Esteban Ocon - Alpine
Max Verstappen shared his thoughts after a scintillating display at Qatar GP
After a brilliant final flying lap, Max Verstappen opened up about his performance in qualifying. Verstappen's pole position surprised many as he finished the Sprint in P8, despite starting from P6. Here's what he said in the post-qualifying interview:
"Crazy, honestly I didn't expect that. Well done to the team for giving me a car that feels more connected, so I could push a bit harder. We did change a bit on the car, but I never thought it would make such a swing in performance. Very happy to be on pole - it's been awhile."
With Verstappen's title already wrapped up, Sunday's race at Lusail International Circuit in the Qatar GP could see a feisty battle between the McLarens and Ferraris for the 2024 constructors' championship.