Max Verstappen secured pole position for the Formula 1 Qatar Grand Prix, while Oscar Piastri won the sprint race during Saturday’s qualifying. Lando Norris of McLaren ignored team orders and allowed Piastri to win the race, paying him back for a similar gesture in Brazil. Piastri expressed surprise at Norris’ decision and praised the teamwork within the McLaren team.
During the sprint race, Norris started on pole but dropped back to enable Piastri to use the DRS system and overtake him for the win. This move frustrated Mercedes driver George Russell, who found McLaren’s team tactics bothersome and hoped for a fair race on Sunday. Verstappen, on the other hand, was back in form during the qualifying session, narrowly beating Russell for the pole position.
McLaren increased its lead over Ferrari in the constructors’ championship, while Red Bull slipped further behind McLaren in the standings. With the championship decider looming, the races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi will play a decisive role in determining the season’s outcome.
Verstappen, who recently secured his fourth drivers’ title, expressed surprise at the performance swing after changes to his car. Norris will start third in the Grand Prix, followed by Piastri in fourth. McLaren seems to be in a strong position heading into the final races, with both of its drivers ahead of the Ferraris on the grid. Teams have a chance to earn crucial points in the upcoming races to secure their positions in the championship standings.
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