Max Verstappen receives grid penalty and will start second at Qatar Grand Prix
Max Verstappen will not start from pole position at the Qatar Grand Prix due to a one-place grid penalty for driving too slowly during a cool-down lap. He will now start in second place, while George Russell moves to pole. This marks the second time this season Verstappen has qualified first but faced a grid penalty. He previously qualified first in Belgium but dropped ten positions due to an engine penalty. Qualifying results varied from the sprint race, with some drivers like Pierre Gasly and Liam Lawson failing to advance to Q3. McLaren and Ferrari showed strong performances, with McLaren needing to outscore Ferrari by 15 points to secure the constructors' championship.