George Russell was seen looking around for Lando Norris in parc ferme after qualifying on Friday at the Qatar Grand Prix, unaware that the McLaren driver’s best lap had been deleted for exceeding track limits.
Reigning World Champion Max Verstappen claimed pole position for Sunday’s race, provisionally ahead of Norris, George Russell and Oscar Piastri.
As Russell came to the end of his interview with Sky Sports F1 pundit Naomi Schiff, the duo then started to look around for Norris, who Schiff was expecting to speak to in parc ferme.
However, much to their unawareness, Norris’ lap good enough for second on the grid had been deleted, for exceeding track limits.
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As a result, Piastri was promoted to third initially, with him having broken the news to the Mercedes driver, who looked stunned when informed that he’d been promoted to second on the grid.
“Where’s Lando?” Russell asked whilst looking around in parc ferme.
“Where is he?” asked Schiff.
“We’ve lost him,” joked Russell, who was continuing to look around himself.
“We’ve lost Lando,” replied Schiff, before adding: “Well thank you George.”
Piastri then walked over to Russell and appeared to mention that Norris had his time deleted for track limits, to which Russell asked the Aussie: “For me or for him?”
“For Lando, apparently,” answered Piastri.
Piastri ended up being interviewed by Schiff as it was then believed that the rookie had qualified third, although he was informed by the South African driver mid-interview that his best lap in Q3 had also been deleted for exceeding track limits.
The young Australian will actually start from sixth on Sunday, whilst Norris will start from P10 as he failed to set a legal lap in Q3.
READ: Lando Norris brushes off allegation
Lewis Hamilton was promoted to third on the grid, having provisionally set the fifth quickest time.
Thankfully, for Piastri’s sake, the Australian kept all four wheels within the white lines of the Lusail International Circuit on Saturday afternoon, where he secured pole for the sprint race.
Norris also made up somewhat for his poor Q3, as he completed a McLaren 1-2 in the sprint shootout.