Max Verstappen stripped of Qatar GP pole to hand top spot to George Russell

The world champion was penalised one place.

PENALTY: George Russell (left) will now start on pole ahead of Max Verstappen. Picture: Darko Bandic/AP

Max Verstappen has been stripped of his pole position for the Qatar Grand Prix to elevate George Russell to top spot on the grid for the penultimate round of the season.

Verstappen looked to have scored his first pole in five months after he edged out Mercedes’ Russell by just 0.055 seconds at the Lusail International Circuit.