Piastri Takes Qatar Sprint Pole

Oscar Piastri claimed Sprint pole at the Lusail International Circuit after edging George Russell by 0.032s in a tight SQ3. Lando Norris starts third, keeping his 24-point lead intact before Sunday’s title-deciding Grand Prix.

Piastri had already topped FP1 and carried that pace into qualifying, while Norris had his final lap disrupted by traffic. Max Verstappen endured another tense evening with steering and balance complaints, and slipped to sixth after being beaten by Yuki Tsunoda in a rare upset for the Dutchman.

SQ1 saw Fernando Alonso, Verstappen and Piastri set the early pace as Lewis Hamilton dropped out in 18th. SQ2 ended with Isack Hadjar losing a top-ten spot to a track limits deletion, allowing Kimi Antonelli through.

In the final shootout, Russell briefly held provisional pole before Piastri snatched it back. Norris settled for third while Alonso took fourth. Tsunoda delivered one of the standout performances of the night, lining up fifth ahead of a frustrated Verstappen.

The 19-lap Sprint on Saturday offers points for the top eight, but Norris cannot seal the Championship until Sunday’s Grand Prix.