“Max losing out pole to a rookie! He is washed”- Fans react as Oscar Piastri edges out Max Verstappen and Lando Norris for a maiden sprint pole at the Qatar GP 

Australian rookie Oscar Piastri delivered a jaw-dropping performance by clinching his maiden pole position in the sprint race, narrowly outpacing his McLaren teammate Lando Norris and the reigning world champion Max Verstappen. The qualifying session at the Qatar GP showcased Piastri’s exceptional talent as he eclipsed his teammate Norris by a mere 0.082 seconds, leaving fans and fellow competitors in awe of his remarkable skills.

Lando Norris, who had shown impressive pace throughout the session, seemed poised to secure pole position on his final lap, but a small error in the last corner cost him the top spot. The stunning performance of the McLaren duo was a testament to their team’s competitive spirit and determination to excel in the high-stakes world of Formula One.

Meanwhile, Max Verstappen, on the cusp of securing his third consecutive Formula One championship, found himself in a respectable third place, just 0.192 seconds behind Piastri. Verstappen’s goal of clinching the title is tantalizingly close, with only a sixth-place finish in the upcoming 19-lap sprint race needed to cement his status as a three-time champion. Alternatively, Verstappen can achieve this feat if his Red Bull teammate, Sergio Perez, finishes outside the top three.

The qualifying session in Qatar was spectacular, leaving fans eagerly anticipating the upcoming sprint race and the potential crowning of a new Formula One champion. And as the results were declared, fans were delighted to see a rookie secure his maiden pole position, albeit in a sprint. 

Discover: WATCH: Lance Stroll allegedly pushed his trainer to the wall in the Aston Martin garage after Q1 elimination at Qatar GP

Fans hail Oscar Piastri as the rookie of the decade

Piastri’s journey to McLaren, following a legal dispute with Alpine, initially raised questions due to McLaren’s early-season performance struggles. However, the narrative has shifted dramatically. McLaren’s resurgence in performance has won over critics, and Piastri’s pole position in Qatar has astonished fans.

Fans were particularly surprised to see Piastri outshine his teammate, Lando Norris, and the current championship leader, Max Verstappen. Some took this opportunity to subtly tease Verstappen for being outperformed by a rookie. Amidst the widespread acclaim, Piastri’s pole position also served as a redemption for his challenging qualifying session the day before.

In a remarkable turn of events, Piastri has earned not only the respect of fans but also validation for his decision to join McLaren. McLaren is chasing down Aston Martin for the fourth spot in the standings and has been catching them at the rate of knots. A decent finish from the papaya cars from the front row will help them in closing in on them. On the other hand, Max only needs 3 points in the race, and it looks like an easy possibility that he will even win the race as well. 

In case you missed it:

• Lewis Hamilton brands Qatar GP Qualifying an ‘average session’ despite third-place finish
• Charles Leclerc launches a scathing rebuke on ‘sh*t’ minimum qualifying lap time rule at the Qatar GP

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