Verstappen Penalized for Impeding; Russell Claims Qatar GP Pole

Nov 30, 2024, 10:16 PM

Max Verstappen has lost pole position for the Qatar Grand Prix after receiving an unprecedented one-place grid penalty for driving unnecessarily slowly during his cooldown lap in qualifying, which impeded Mercedes driver George Russell in Q3. The FIA confirmed the penalty, stating that Verstappen's actions hindered Russell's lap. As a result, George Russell will start from pole position, with Verstappen beginning the race from second place. This marks Verstappen's first pole position loss since the Austrian Grand Prix in June.