Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) set the fastest time in qualifying for the Qatar Grand Prix on Saturday 20 November and will therefore find himself in first position on the starting grid on Sunday. His great rival Max Verstappen (Red Bull) is second, followed by Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes). The Habs Pierre Gasly will start in fourth position. The other Frenchman Esteban Ocon (Alpine) will start in 9th position.
END OF QUALIFYING
Top 10:
Hamilton
Verstappen
Bottas ()
Gasly
Alonso
Norris
Sainz
Tsunoda
Ocon
Vettel #QatarGP # F1 pic.twitter.com/pbNkrCzu9N– Formula 1 (@ F1) November 20, 2021
Despite his incident in the last run, the Alpha Tauri rider will start in 4th position on Sunday, after having survived the first two qualifying sessions, and notably setting the second fastest time in Q2, behind Lewis Hamilton. The Frenchman, who won his first F1 victory a year ago, sits in 9th place in the drivers’ standings ahead of the Qatar Grand Prix kicking off on Sunday.
The other Frenchman Esteban Ocon (Alpine) could not do better than a 9th place in Q3. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) and Sergio Pérez (Red Bull), eliminated in Q2, did not answer the call.
Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen, first and second respectively in qualifying, continue their struggle as the end of the season draws near. The Dutchman, who is aiming for a first world championship title at 24, is still the leader in the drivers’ standings but he is not immune to a return from Lewis Hamilton, who can still believe, at 37, to an eighth crown, which would be a record in the history of Formula 1.
Pole number 102 for @LewisHamilton
In spectacular fashion too #QatarGP # F1 pic.twitter.com/hUW9jOc4V6
– Formula 1 (@ F1) November 20, 2021
There are still three races in the Bitann, including Sunday’s, to put pressure on his rival.