Qatar GP Qualifying: Max Verstappen Poles As George Russell Makes Front Row

Max Verstappen remained dominant on the grid as he claimed the pole in Qatar for his tenth of the season, however, the McLaren team suffered a setback as their duo bagged penalties for track limit offences. 

The Red Bull's F1 defending champion did not need to improve on his time in the final run of Q3 and was already in the pit while others were on the track for the final run. It will be the 30th pole of his career as he is set to win the F1 title for the third time in a row. 

Impressive performance for Mercedes' George Russell for having improved past his teammate, Lewis Hamilton to finish in third. Instead of starting in P3. the Briton will be starting in the front row in P2 following the canceling of Lando Norris' time for track limit infringement, and likewise his teammate Oscar Piastri, whose time was deleted for the same offence. 

Piastri had initially posted the fourth quickest timing and since he infringed on track limit in Q3, he was demoted to sixth position while Hamilton took the leap to P3 from P5. 

Unlike Charles Leclerc, Carlos Sainz could not make it past Q2 for Ferrari and will start in P12. Red Bull's Sergio Perez found himself in the same circumstance of over track limit and had his time deleted in Q2. He will be starting in P13. Aston Martin's Lance Stroll seemed umimpressed by his performance for having got knocked out in Q1 to start in P17. 

The Canadian shoved his personal trainer in the team's garage and even gave a straight look at the camera in his interview. It is understandable as Lance, 24, for the fourth race in a row, will be starting in P17 and might be a little disappointing to him.