The 2023 Formula One season now has 21 (of 22) races in the record books following the most recent Las Vegas Grand Prix. Photo by CHRISTIAN BRUNA / POOL / AFP

Qatar Grand Prix: Pole positions after ALL driver penalties

Max Verstappen dominated qualifying to claim pole position for the Qatar Grand Prix, which he could start as a triple world champion.

by Garrin Lambley

07-10-2023 10:57

in Motorsport

The 2023 Formula One season now has 21 (of 22) races in the record books following the most recent Las Vegas Grand Prix. Photo by CHRISTIAN BRUNA / POOL / AFP

Max Verstappen dominated qualifying on Friday to claim pole position for the Qatar Grand Prix, which he could start as a triple world champion.

WATCH | Gauteng driver avoids e-toll with number plate trick

It was the 26-year-old Dutchman’s 10th pole position of a commanding season for Red Bull.

He wound up four-tenths of a second ahead of nearest rival George Russell, whose Mercedes team-mate Lewis Hamilton slipped from second to fourth, and then rose to third when the two McLarens had laps scrubbed out in a confusing final flurry.

DIARISE | Formula One 2023: What time is the Qatar Grand Prix on Sunday, 8 October?

Lando Norris of McLaren was second when he crossed the line before his best late lap was deleted for exceeding track limits.

His team-mate Oscar Piastri placed third before losing his lap too. He fell to sixth. Norris dropped to 10th.

MUST READ | SA bakkie sales: Top 10 best-selling bakkies in September 2023

Verstappen can clinch his third consecutive title before Sunday’s race by finishing sixth or better in Saturday’s sprint race.

MUST READ | Cost of living crisis: LITRE OF PETROL higher than SA hourly minimum wage

Sunday’s race will start at 19:00 (SA time).

SCARY STATS | South Africa’s most congested cities RANKED

ALSO READ | 5 NEW CARS heading to South Africa you should know about