Sprint qualifying at the Qatar Grand Prix delivered a dramatic and unpredictable session under the lights at Lusail where Oscar Piastri produced a stunning lap to secure pole position. The McLaren driver stopped the clock at 1.20.055 and edged out George Russell by a razor thin margin to claim a vital starting advantage. With the championship fight still finely balanced this pole could prove crucial for Piastri as he looks to keep himself firmly in the title picture. Lando Norris settled for third after struggling to find the final few tenths leaving McLaren with mixed emotions but a strong overall starting position for the sprint.
The shock of the evening came from Yuki Tsunoda who delivered one of the finest qualifying performances of his Formula One career. The Japanese driver placed his Red Bull fifth on the grid and in doing so outqualified Max Verstappen for the first time since becoming teammates. Verstappen endured a difficult session battling instability and unpredictable balance as his car bounced through key corners. The three time world champion could do no better than sixth while Tsunoda’s clean and composed lap drew praise across the paddock and gave him a confidence boost heading into the sprint.
For Piastri the pole represents a welcome return to form at a critical moment. His lap combined precision aggression and perfect tyre management and it sends a strong message ahead of the sprint where valuable points will be up for grabs. The front of the grid is packed with potential battles as Russell aims to strike early and Norris looks to recover lost ground.
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