The Qatar Grand Prix Practice Results opened the weekend with a strong McLaren display. Oscar Piastri set the pace under the Lusail lights, with Lando Norris close behind after a tight final push on soft tyres.
Busy Start to the Sole Practice Session
The one-hour session began with immediate action as all drivers headed out early. Teams focused on longer runs on the harder C1 compound due to the strict tyre limits set for the weekend.
Early Benchmarks and Setup Challenges
George Russell led the first phase while Max Verstappen held second. The Dutch driver, however, struggled with balance issues and reported heavy clipping at Turn 6.
Laps Build Before Late-Session Push
Verstappen briefly improved and moved to the top with a 1:22.165 lap. The time stood until the final minutes when soft-tyre runs reshuffled the order.
McLaren Take Control Under the Lights
Lando Norris jumped ahead late with a 1:20.982 benchmark. His next lap looked stronger, yet he abandoned it, leaving space for Piastri to respond.
Piastri Edges Ahead in Final Minutes
Piastri delivered a 1:20.924 lap that secured first place. Norris finished 0.058 seconds behind as McLaren completed a confident one-two.
Power, Pace and Performance Focus
The soft-tyre simulations showed sharp gains for the McLaren duo. Verstappen’s setup issues held him back, while Alonso, Sainz and Hadjar maximised grip to secure places near the front.
Full Qatar Grand Prix Practice Results
| Pos | Driver | Car |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oscar Piastri | McLaren |
| 2 | Lando Norris | McLaren |
| 3 | Fernando Alonso | Aston Martin |
| 4 | Carlos Sainz | Williams |
| 5 | Isack Hadjar | Racing Bulls |
| 6 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull |
| 7 | Alexander Albon | Williams |
| 8 | Charles Leclerc | Ferrari |
| 9 | Lance Stroll | Aston Martin |
| 10 | Kimi Antonelli | Mercedes |
| 11 | Nico Hülkenberg | Sauber |
| 12 | Lewis Hamilton | Ferrari |
| 13 | Yuki Tsunoda | Red Bull |
| 14 | George Russell | Mercedes |
| 15 | Oliver Bearman | Haas |
| 16 | Gabriel Bortoleto | Sauber |
| 17 | Esteban Ocon | Haas |
| 18 | Pierre Gasly | Alpine |
| 19 | Liam Lawson | Racing Bulls |
| 20 | Franco Colapinto | Alpine |
Summary
The Qatar Grand Prix Practice Results underline McLaren’s early strength as Piastri and Norris controlled the pace. Verstappen’s issues shaped his position, while the midfield showed tight gaps ahead of the Sprint format weekend.
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Source: FIA