P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Max Verstappen will be only sixth on the Qatar Grand Prix Sprint race grid following a poor qualifying at Lusail.
Max Verstappen is preparing for a challenging Qatar Grand Prix Sprint race following a difficult qualifying session where he struggled to control his RB21.
He described his car as “bouncing like an idiot” after going wide and damaging the floor on a gravel trap.
Verstappen qualified in sixth place, behind his teammate Yuki Tsunoda, marking the first time this season he has been out-qualified and the first time since the 2024 Azerbaijan GP.
His title rivals Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris will start in first and third positions, respectively, setting the stage for a tough 19-lap Sprint race for the world champion.
Verstappen expressed concerns about the handling of his car, noting aggressive understeer and oversteer issues that will make the Sprint challenging.
He anticipates the race to be more about survival than speed, emphasizing the need to make adjustments before the qualifying session.
