LEW IS TOP QAT
Flying Hamilton takes pole
LEWIS HAMILTON took a superb pole position at the first-ever Qatar Grand Prix after working long into the night to get the upper hand.
The reigning champion is currently 14 points behind title rival Max Verstappen in the championship but won in Brazil last weekend and had the beating of the Red Bull ace around the
Losail International Circuit.
Hamilton set a blistering pace under the lights in Doha
– almost half a second faster than Verstappen, who starts second.
The Brit said: “Friday was a really difficult day for me – I really struggled through that practice and was off the pace so I really had to dig deep.
“I was here until midnight working with the engineers and we found a lot of areas I could improve.
“We made some changes for final practice and it seemed to work.
“Then you have to try and carry that through into qualifying.
“That last lap was beautiful, it is an amazing track to drive and it felt good.
Critical
“I had a bit of a stomach ache from Wednesday but I slept really well on Friday night and that made a bit of a difference.”
Overtaking is expected to be difficult around a track populated mainly by fast corners, so the battle for the lead down to turn one, and then pit-stop strategy, will be critical.
Hamilton added: “Being such a fast circuit, I don’t think it will be the easiest of circuits to follow but it’s also not massively degrading the tyres.”
While Hamilton will also have the support of Mercedes team-mate Valtteri Bottas, who starts from third, Verstappen is on his own at the front of the grid.
The second Red Bull of Sergio Perez failed to make it out of the second round of qualifying and will start down in 11th.
“I think we were lacking a bit of pace,” said Verstappen.
“We are struggling a bit more than normal but nevertheless we are second so it is all to play for.”
Qualifying ended in confusion as a puncture for Pierre Gasly saw the yellow flag come out and go back in. The Alphatauri man impressed and will start fourth despite his late issue.
Mercedes Red Bull
Mercedes Alphatauri Alpine Mclaren
STANDINGS
1 Verstappen 2 Hamilton 3 Bottas 4 Perez 5 Norris
Red Bull Mercedes Mercedes Red Bull Mclaren