Verstappen’s pole position in danger after Q3 incident

Having secured his first pole position since the Austrian Grand Prix, four-time F1 champion Max Verstappen’s first starting position has been put in danger after the FIA announced an investigation against the Dutch driver.

Following a low-key showing in Qatar F1 Sprint, Max Verstappen bounced back with an eye-catching performance in the main qualifying for tomorrow’s Qatar Grand Prix. The newly-crowned four-time world champion looked strong from the get-go, with Red Bull having made several tweaks to his RB following the sprint race.

The Dutchman needed a quick lap in the dying seconds of Q3 to beat George Russell, which he was able to deliver to secure his first pole position since the Austrian Grand Prix.

However, the FIA announced after the qualifying segment that the newly-crowned four-time F1 champion will be required to clear an incident that happened in the dying stages of the session.

Verstappen elected to complete an additional warm-up lap ahead of his final push lap, and while he was driving slowly, Russell caught him through the Turn 12-13-14 trio of right-handers.

The Mercedes driver had to take evasive action, and immediately claimed over the radio that Verstappen’s behaviour was “super dangerous”.

The stewards noted: “Alleged breach of Article 33.4 of the FIA Formula One Sporting Regulations – Driving unnecessarily slowly at 21:58.”