Max Verstappen secured pole position for the Formula 1 Qatar Grand Prix while McLaren’s Oscar Piastri won the sprint race in Saturday’s qualifying. Lando Norris defied team orders to give Piastri the win instead of finishing ahead of him as instructed. Norris stated that he was paying Piastri back for a similar gesture in Brazil. Piastri expressed surprise but appreciated the teamwork within the McLaren team.
In a season where McLaren’s race tactics have been under scrutiny, the team’s decision to prioritize teamwork over individual performance frustrated Mercedes driver George Russell. Verstappen returned to form in qualifying, narrowly beating Russell to secure pole position. McLaren extended its lead over Ferrari in the constructors’ championship, with both of its drivers ahead of the Ferraris on the grid.
The championship battle is intensifying, with Qatar and Abu Dhabi set to play a decisive role in determining the final standings. Red Bull dropped further behind McLaren in the standings, with Verstappen finishing eighth and his teammate Sergio Perez coming in last after a pit stop. With Verstappen crowned the drivers’ champion for the fourth time the previous week, the focus is now on the battle for constructor’s championship glory between McLaren, Ferrari, and Mercedes.
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