Provisional starting grid Qatar GP | Verstappen sees Mercedes in mirrors

Max Verstappen, who could just start the Qatar Grand Prix as a three-time world champion, has secured the best starting position for Sunday's Formula 1 race. However, he has two eager Mercedes drivers in his wake. Can he fend off the attacks of George Russell and Lewis Hamilton?

Even at Mercedes, opinions are divided on the matter. Russell expects to wave off Verstappen at the start, while Hamilton does not know why he would not be able to do battle with the Red Bull Racing driver.

The Mercedes drivers had luck on their side during qualifying, as they initially had to beat McLaren drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. However, Norris and Piastri both saw their lap times scrapped for exceeding track limits, making them start from P10 and P6 respectively on Sunday.