Overview
- Oscar Piastri set a 1:19.387 to take pole by 0.108 seconds over Lando Norris for the Qatar Grand Prix.
- Max Verstappen will start third with George Russell fourth and Kimi Antonelli fifth behind the McLarens.
- Norris leads the standings on 398 points ahead of Piastri on 382 and Verstappen on 374, creating paths for a Qatar title clinch if rivals finish lower.
- Ferrari’s troubles continued as Charles Leclerc spun in Q3 and starts P10, while Lewis Hamilton was eliminated in Q1 and lines up P18.
- Passing is expected to be difficult at Lusail and Pirelli’s 25-lap maximum stint length limits strategy, increasing the premium on the start.