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Mercedes driver George Russell will start on pole position for the Qatar Grand Prix after Red Bull’s Max Verstappen was penalised one place for impeding his rival.
Verstappen started sixth and finished only eighth in the Saturday sprint race won by Oscar Piastri as McLaren edged closer to their first constructors’ title in 26 years.
But the Dutch driver returned to form for qualifying for Sunday’s 57-lap main event by seeing off Mercedes’ George Russell by just 0.055 seconds to take both his and Red Bull’s first pole since Austria exactly five months ago.
However, at 1:06 local time, more than three hours after qualifying ended, it was confirmed that Verstappen had been penalised one place for impeding Russell as both drivers geared up for their final laps. Lando Norris, who handed team-mate Piastri victory in the sprint race earlier on Saturday – with McLaren securing a one-two finish to move 30 points clear of Ferrari – remains third.
Live stream: Sky Sports subscribers can watch all the action in Lusail on the Sky Go app. If you’re not a Sky customer you can grab a NOWTV Day Pass here to watch without a subscription.
Oscar Piastri after finishing third:
“It was a tricky race, the cars at the front had similar pace to each other.
“It’s going to take everything we got to seal the [constructors’] deal.”
Kieran Jackson1 December 2024 17:57
TOP-10 IN THE QATAR GRAND PRIX:
10. Lando Norris (+fastest lap)
Kieran Jackson1 December 2024 17:48
Lando Norris receives ‘unbelievably extreme’ penalty in dramatic Qatar Grand Prix
Norris was penalised by the stewards for failing to slow down in double-waved yellow flag conditions on the main straight.
Race leader Max Verstappen noticed that Norris did not slow down behind him and the stewards eventually made their call.
Kieran Jackson1 December 2024 17:40
F1 Qatar GP LIVE: George Russell recieves a penalty!
Russell gets a five-second penalty for a safety car infringement after the race – but it won’t matter!
He will stay in fourth, having finished 6 seconds clear of Gasly on the track!
Kieran Jackson1 December 2024 17:39
F1 Qatar GP LIVE: Max Verstappen wins the Qatar Grand Prix!
Max Verstappen takes another victory in Lusail – with Charles Leclerc in second and Oscar Piastri in third!
4-10: Russell, Gasly, Sainz, Alonso, Zhou, Magnussen, Norris
Ferrari take the constructors’ battle down to the final race in Abu Dhabi!
What a dramatic end to that race!
Kieran Jackson1 December 2024 17:36
F1 Qatar GP LIVE: Final lap!
Verstappen leads by 6.4 seconds as we take the final lap!
Top-10: Verstappen, Leclerc, Piastri, Russell, Gasly, Sainz, Alonso, Zhou, Magnussen, Norris
Norris sets the fastest lap…
Kieran Jackson1 December 2024 17:34
F1 Qatar GP LIVE: Norris up to P10 (Lap 55/57)
Norris is up to 10th ahead of Valtteri Bottas – he is lapping so much quicker than the cars ahead!
Kieran Jackson1 December 2024 17:34
F1 Qatar GP LIVE: Norris surging through the field (Lap 52/57)
Norris now up to P12, and he could still get a point yet for McLaren!
Out in front, Verstappen’s lead to Leclerc is 5.1 seconds.
Top-10:Verstappen, Leclerc, Piastri, Russell, Gasly, Sainz, Alonso, Zhou, Magnussen, Bottas
Kieran Jackson1 December 2024 17:28
F1 Qatar GP LIVE: Norris and Hamilton in the final two positions (Lap 49/57)
What a difference those penalties have made to this race!
Max Verstappen has a comfortable lead to Charles Leclerc of 4.3 seconds.
Top-10: Verstappen, Leclerc, Piastri, Russell, Gasly, Sainz, Alonso, Zhou, Magnussen, Albon
Kieran Jackson1 December 2024 17:23
F1 Qatar GP LIVE: Lewis Hamilton receives a penalty (Lap 48/57)
And now Hamilton has a drive-through penalty for speeding in the pit-lane!
Hamilton is asking to retire!
But he doesn’t! Hamilton drops to last behind Norris…
Kieran Jackson1 December 2024 17:22
