Oscar Piastri Secures Qatar Sprint Pole, Max Verstappen Ends Sixth
In a thrilling showdown at the Lusail International Circuit, Oscar Piastri achieved the coveted pole position for the Qatar Sprint, narrowly defeating Mercedes driver George Russell. Completing the top three was Piastri’s McLaren teammate, Lando Norris.
Qatar Sprint Qualifying Results
Piastri clocked an impressive time of 1 minute 20.055 seconds during SQ3. This left him just 0.032 seconds ahead of Russell, who put in a fantastic effort to secure the second position. Norris, meanwhile, finished two-tenths slower, struggling towards the end of his final lap when he ran wide.
The top four was rounded out by Fernando Alonso from Aston Martin, showcasing strong performance. In a surprising twist, Yuki Tsunoda outperformed his Red Bull teammate, Max Verstappen, who struggled with car bouncing throughout the session and ultimately secured sixth position.
Complete Top 10 Standings
- 1. Oscar Piastri (McLaren) – 1:20.055
- 2. George Russell (Mercedes)
- 3. Lando Norris (McLaren)
- 4. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin)
- 5. Yuki Tsunoda (Red Bull)
- 6. Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
- 7. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes)
- 8. Carlos Sainz (Williams)
- 9. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)
- 10. Alex Albon (Williams)
Key Moments from Qualifying
In the SQ1 phase, Verstappen initially set the fastest time before eventually finishing in a disappointing sixth place. His struggles were compounded by a series of bouncing issues and missed opportunities due to track limits. Lance Stroll was among the drivers who failed to progress, finishing just short of the time needed to advance.
Drivers Eliminated from SQ1
- Lance Stroll (Aston Martin)
- Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls)
- Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari)
- Pierre Gasly (Alpine)
- Franco Colapinto (Alpine)
During SQ2, Norris and Piastri’s displays were noteworthy, with Norris setting a time of 1:20.956 seconds on medium tires. Track limits claimed Isack Hadjar, who had been on pace to advance but was disqualified due to a time deletion.
Looking Ahead
The action continues as the drivers prepare for the Sprint later today at 5:00 PM local time. Piastri’s strong showing sets the stage for an exciting race, as he vies for his first major title. Fans can tune in by visiting El-Balad’s Race Hub for full coverage of the event.
