Max Verstappen — © Red Bull Content Pool
Lewis Hamilton qualified on pole position for the first-ever Qatari GP yesterday. However, it will mainly be a matter of watching what Max Verstappen can achieve. After a grid penalty, the Dutchman starts from seventh place on the grid.
Hamilton-Verstappen, we seemed to have that battle, especially at the start and in the first corner. However, a grid penalty for ignoring a double yellow flag situation during qualifying has forced Verstappen back five places.
Verstappen therefore faces a difficult assignment from seventh place. Not only does he no longer have a direct connection with Lewis Hamilton, Verstappen will also have to get past Valtteri Bottas in the second Mercedes. In addition, Sergio Perez is the second Red Bull driver to start but from eleventh place, so that the Mexican cannot make it difficult for Lewis Hamilton either.
Due to grid penalties for Verstappen and Bottas, the surprising Pierre Gasly in the AlphaTauri F1 car will start next to Lewis Hamilton from the front row. In addition, there is also two-time F1 champion Fernando Alonso who will start from third place.
In addition, the teams and drivers have very little data about the circuit being driven on and the Losail International Circuit has already proven earlier this weekend that sometimes the smallest mistake can lead to a lot of damage to the F1 cars.
So many ingredients for an exciting Qatar GP. Meet at 3pm when the lights go green.
1 44 L. Hamilton Mercedes2 10 P. Gasly AlphaTauri3 14 F. Alonso Alpine4 4 L. Norris McLaren5 77 V. Bottas Mercedes +3 pos., yellow flags6 55 C. Sainz Ferrari7 33 M. Verstappen Red Bull +5 pos., double yellow flag8 22 Y. Tsoda AlphaTauri9 31 E. Ocon Alpine10 5 S. Vettel Aston Martin11 11 S. Perez Red Bull12 18 L. Stroll Aston Martin13 16 C. Leclerc Ferrari14 3 D. Ricciardo McLaren15 63 G. Russell Williams16 7 K. Räikkönen Alfa Romeo17 6 N. Latifi Williams18 99 A. Giovinazzi Alfa Romeo19 47 M. Schumacher Haas F120 9 N. Mazepin Haas F1
More F1 news:– Max Verstappen: “When I heard how big the difference with Hamilton was…”– Ferrari discovers a fracture in the chassis of its F1 car– Lewis Hamilton after conquering pole: “I had to go deep”– F1 driver: “I’m going to protest against everyone”– Take part in the Qatar Grand Prix game – 1st prize: 4,000 euros!
(F1journaal.be)
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