Verstappen secures first pole position in five months at Qatar Grand Prix
Max Verstappen of Red Bull secured his first pole position in five months at the Qatar Grand Prix, marking a significant turnaround in performance. He last achieved pole in June and has now claimed nine this season. McLaren's Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri qualified third and fourth, extending their lead in the constructors' championship over Ferrari, who had Charles Leclerc in fifth and Carlos Sainz in seventh. McLaren could win the title on Sunday. Verstappen's pole came after a near-miss with Mercedes' George Russell, who qualified second. Lewis Hamilton qualified sixth, while Fernando Alonso was eighth and Sergio Perez ninth.