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2w ago

Piastri Wins Qatar Sprint and Takes Pole as Norris’s Title Lead Narrows

Norris holds a 22-point advantage with 50 to play for, making Piastri’s pole at a low‑passing Lusail especially consequential.

The front three of the grid is made up of the top three in the championship
Formula One F1 - Qatar Grand Prix - Lusail International Circuit, Lusail, Qatar - November 29, 2025 McLaren's Oscar Piastri celebrates after qualifying in pole position REUTERS/Jakub Porzycki
Another session in Qatar, and another first place for Oscar Piastri in 2025. Image: XPB Images
Oscar Piastri celebrates his victory in the Qatar Grand Prix Sprint. Image: XPB Images

Overview

  • Oscar Piastri led from lights to flag to win the Qatar sprint ahead of George Russell, with Lando Norris third and Max Verstappen fourth, trimming Norris’s lead to 22 points.
  • Piastri then secured Grand Prix pole over Norris by 0.108s after Norris aborted his final Q3 lap, with Verstappen third and Russell fourth on Sunday’s grid.
  • Norris can clinch the championship on Sunday with a race win, or by outscoring Piastri by four points while finishing ahead of Verstappen in any position.
  • Verstappen reported persistent bouncing and handling issues through the sprint and qualifying, while Yuki Tsunoda and Kimi Antonelli received five‑second penalties for track limits in the sprint.
  • Lewis Hamilton started the sprint from the pit lane and finished 17th, then qualified 18th for the Grand Prix, as Pirelli’s stint limits set up a multi‑stop race at a circuit where overtaking is typically scarce.