Oscar Piastri Qatar Sprint pole headlines a tight qualifying session in Lusail, as the McLaren driver edged George Russell and Lando Norris after a tense SQ3 fight.
Piastri Sets the Benchmark Early
Piastri found immediate rhythm in the final shootout. His first flyer placed him ahead of Norris by a narrow margin after the Briton corrected a late snap.
Russell stayed close throughout. The Mercedes driver carried strong pace from SQ2 and remained within striking distance across each phase.
Hamilton Falls in SQ1 as Midfield Tightens
Lewis Hamilton endured a difficult run in SQ1. His final attempt lacked grip and he slipped to eighteenth as rookies and midfield runners improved late.
Verstappen topped the segment with Alonso close behind. Piastri secured third with firm confidence in the opening laps.
Norris Leads SQ2 Before Final Shuffle
Lando Norris opened SQ2 with a rapid lap that Piastri could not beat. Russell and Verstappen stayed within reach, while Tsunoda advanced with solid pace.
The tight pack forced risks. Isack Hadjar briefly looked safe for SQ3, but track limits deleted his lap and pushed him out.
Verstappen Battles Unstable Car
Max Verstappen faced porpoising in SQ3. A harsh bounce into Turn 4 sent him wide and through gravel, placing him on the back foot for the final run.
His recovery lap improved position but only lifted him to sixth. Alonso and Tsunoda both jumped him with cleaner flying laps.
Front-Row Fight Decided in Final Seconds
Russell produced a strong 1:20.087 to claim provisional pole. Moments later Piastri crossed the line with a sharper sector three to take Sprint pole by three hundredths.
Norris settled for third after traffic with Albon disrupted his preparation lap. Alonso and Tsunoda secured competitive positions behind the McLarens.
Power and Performance Snapshot
The fight for Sprint pole highlighted strong top-end efficiency from McLaren. Piastri maximised traction through medium-speed zones, while Mercedes relied on stable cornering balance. Red Bull’s power advantage was offset by Verstappen’s bouncing issues.
Summary
Piastri’s decisive late lap secured a valuable Sprint pole and confirmed McLaren’s sharp form in Qatar. Russell and Norris stayed close, while Verstappen’s troubled SQ3 left him sixth on the grid.
| Pos | Driver | Car |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oscar Piastri | McLaren |
| 2 | George Russell | Mercedes |
| 3 | Lando Norris | McLaren |
| 4 | Fernando Alonso | Aston Martin |
| 5 | Yuki Tsunoda | Red Bull Racing |
| 6 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull Racing |
| 7 | Kimi Antonelli | Mercedes |
| 8 | Carlos Sainz | Williams |
| 9 | Charles Leclerc | Ferrari |
| 10 | Alexander Albon | Williams |
| 11 | Isack Hadjar | Racing Bulls |
| 12 | Oliver Bearman | Haas |
| 13 | Gabriel Bortoleto | Kick Sauber |
| 14 | Nico Hulkenberg | Kick Sauber |
| 15 | Esteban Ocon | Haas |
| 16 | Lance Stroll | Aston Martin |
| 17 | Liam Lawson | Racing Bulls |
| 18 | Lewis Hamilton | Ferrari |
| 19 | Pierre Gasly | Alpine |
| 20 | Franco Colapinto | Alpine |
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