The Dutchman is not allowed to start from the very front. © APA/afp / ANDREJ ISAKOVIC

In retrospect: Verstappen loses Qatar pole

Max Verstappen’s joy over his first pole position in almost half a year was already gone long after midnight in Qatar.

01 December 2024

From: dpa/tu

The old and new Formula 1 world champion has been penalized by the race stewards of the Grand Prix at the Lusail International Circuit by one place. He must therefore give up the best starting position for this Sunday's race (17.00 p.m. CET) to George Russell of Mercedes. Verstappen, who beat Russell by 55 thousandths of a second, will start from second position.

The ups and downs in the Emirate continued for the four-time champion. After a disappointing sprint race on Saturday with eighth place, he was in the knockout elimination for the penultimate race of the season in first place raced – to his own surprise. "What a turnaround," Verstappen radioed jubilantly to the Red Bull command post: "Crazy, I didn't expect that either." The 27-year-old Dutchman had achieved his last pole position at the beginning of July in Spielberg.

Too slow

The fact that things are staying that way is due to Verstappen's driving behaviour during a so-called cool-down lap in the decisive phase of qualifying. In the opinion of the race stewards, Verstappen was driving unnecessarily slowly.

George Russell (left) benefits from the developments. © ANSA / NOUSHAD THEKKAYIL

There are no changes behind the first row due to Verstappen's penalty. Lando Norris and his teammate Oscar Piastri are on third and fourth place on the grid. Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz from McLaren's pursuer Ferrari did not manage to get beyond fifth and seventh place in qualifying - a clear disadvantage in the battle for the team title.