Carlos Sainz and Sergio Perez both suffered shock eliminations in Q2 during qualifying for the Qatar Grand Prix - with Sainz also facing an investigation by stewards. Battling instability through the high-speed corners, Sainz was dumped by 0.031s at Lusail and will start 12th at best as he faces an FIA investigation. On his final out-lap, Sainz was deemed to have driven erratically when Max Verstappen tried to pass, with the Red Bull being forced wide. The incident was a breach of Appendix L, Chapter IV Article 2 of the International Sporting Code - and earned him a summons. As for Perez, he was set to advance through to Q3, but had his final lap deleted for track limits at Turn 5, dropping him to 13th, on a weekend he needed a near faultless performance to deny Verstappen his third title.
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