Verstappen clocked a 1m25.009s on soft tyres, two tenths faster than Bottas, with Hamilton slower by 0.346s and back in P3.
Hamilton passed Verstappen at the final corner on Lap 43 and pushed him wide at Turn 27, taking the lead and putting in the fastest laps.
Fernando Alonso claiming a podium finish at the Qatar GP was noteworthy for more than just being his first such finish in 7 years.
Hamilton was able to control the pace at the front of the field after a clinical start from pole position with an indomitable lights-to-flag win.
Mick Schumacher clearly made an impact in the Turkish GP qualifying as his most notable display was his entry into the Q2, his first in F1, and Haas' first in 2021.
BenQ becomes the second partner of Alpine F1 Esports team, joining French sim racing company Race Clutch who provides the hardware.
Lewis Hamilton was actually fastest on the day and won qualifying, but he will start from 11th due to a 10-place grid penalty.
When the rain began to fall in Sochi, the Alpine driver was battling Red Bull's Sergio Perez for the final step on the podium.
Esteban Ocon took his - and Alpine's - first Formula 1 race win at a memorable and chaotic 2021 Hungarian Grand Prix.
Championship favorite Lewis Hamilton finished in third place after dropping to seventh due to a lengthy unplanned pitstop.