Oscar Piastri claimed pole position for the Qatar Grand Prix Sprint as his title rivals Lando Norris and Max Verstappen had to settle for third and sixth, respectively.
Piastri produced a strong display at the Lusail International Circuit to edge out Mercedes’ George Russell for pole by just three hundredths of a second, while championship leader Norris was two tenths back after making an error on his second flying lap in SQ3.
Verstappen made an error on his first attempt at a flying lap in SQ2 and was then outpaced by Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso and his Red Bull team-mate Yuki Tsunoda, who outqualified the Dutchman for the first time this season.
Norris is 24 points clear of both his McLaren team-mate Piastri and Red Bull’s Verstappen going into Saturday’s Sprint at the penultimate round of the season, and will seal the title on Sunday if he is at least 26 points ahead in the standings.
Lewis Hamilton’s woeful debut campaign with Ferrari continued as the seven-time world champion made a tame exit in SQ1 that leaves him starting 18th on the grid.
More to follow…
Sky Sports F1’s Qatar GP schedule
Saturday November 29
1pm: Qatar GP Sprint build-up*
2pm: QATAR GP SPRINT*
3.30pm: Ted’s Sprint Notebook*
4.15pm: F2 Sprint
5.15pm: Qatar GP Qualifying build-up
6pm: QATAR GP QUALIFYING
8pm: Ted’s Qualifying Notebook
Sunday November 30
11.55am: F2 Feature
2.30pm: Grand Prix Sunday: Qatar GP build-up
4pm: THE QATAR GRAND PRIX
6pm: Chequered Flag: Qatar GP reaction
7pm: Ted’s Notebook
*also on Sky Sports Main Event
Formula 1’s season-ending triple header continues with the Qatar Grand Prix Sprint weekend live on Sky Sports F1 from Friday. Stream Sky Sports with NOW – no contract, cancel anytime

