The Red Bull driver qualified third with sole rival Sergio Perez five places behind.
Max Verstappen needs to finish at least sixth in the sprint for his third successive world championship.
DOHA: Red Bull’s Max Verstappen was on course to secure his third Formula One championship today after qualifying third for a Qatar Grand Prix sprint race with sole title rival and teammate Sergio Perez five places behind. McLaren’s Australian rookie Oscar Piastri took pole position ahead of teammate Lando Norris for the 100km race at the floodlit Lusail circuit.Verstappen needs to finish only sixth in the sprint to secure his third successive world championship while Perez, 177 points behind, must finish in the top three to have any hope of delaying the inevitable for another day.
Mercedes’ George Russell will line up in fourth place with the Ferraris of Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc fifth and sixth. Nico Hulkenberg qualified seventh for Haas with Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso ninth and Alpine’s Estaban Ocon qualifying 10th.“Max is only starting third, so he’s not a million miles away. We will try our best,” said Piastri.