Verstappen Faces Stewards Over Qualifying Controversy

Max Verstappen has been summoned by stewards for potentially impeding George Russell during the qualifying session for the Qatar Grand Prix, where he was driving slowly on an out-lap. This maneuver forced Russell to take evasive action to avoid a collision, which raised concerns about possible damage to his car. Verstappen defended his driving style during the session, explaining that his intention was to create space for his final lap, while Russell insisted he was adhering to his delta time.

The incident has prompted significant discussion regarding its implications for both drivers' qualifying results. Team principal Christian Horner highlighted the chaotic nature of warm-up laps, wherein drivers are often vying for optimal positioning. Verstappen, who ultimately secured pole position by a narrow margin of 0.055 seconds over Russell, could face a three-place grid penalty if found guilty of impeding. This situation follows a challenging performance for Verstappen in the previous sprint race, where he finished in eighth place. He plans to address the incident with the stewards after his impressive qualifying result.