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Piastri Wins Qatar Sprint, Takes Pole as Norris' Lead Drops to 22

Piastri carries momentum into Sunday with pole position after cutting into his McLaren teammate’s championship advantage.

Overview

  • Oscar Piastri led from the front to win the final sprint of 2025, with George Russell second, Lando Norris third and Max Verstappen fourth, trimming Norris’s points lead to 22.
  • McLaren locked out the front row for the Grand Prix with Piastri on pole and Norris second, while Verstappen will start third on the grid at Lusail.
  • Alpine started both cars from the pit lane in the sprint after setup changes under parc fermé, and Franco Colapinto finished 20th as overtaking proved scarce.
  • Colapinto was eliminated in Q1 for the main race after his first lap was deleted for a kerb infringement and will start last, while teammate Pierre Gasly reached Q3 and lines up ninth.
  • Colapinto said floor damage, instability and low grip have hampered Alpine, and with two races left and 50 points available, qualifying form is pivotal at a circuit where passing is difficult.