- World champion four-tenths quicker than title rival
- Verstappen may face grid penalty on Sunday morning
Lewis Hamilton has been struggling with a stomach bug but in claiming pole for the Qatar Grand Prix the world champion proved he is very much fighting fit. Moreover, having comprehensively beaten his title rival, Max Verstappen, into second, the world champion made no bones that he would display this combative spirit again if required in Sunday’s race.
Hamilton took pole for this first Qatar Grand Prix after a dominant display under the floodlights of the Losail circuit. On top throughout, the Mercedes driver left Verstappen languishing four-tenths back despite revealing he had been suffering with a stomach ache earlier in the week.
