“Norris may lead the standings, but the Qatar sprint shows the title battle is far from over.”
Oscar Piastri has claimed pole position for the Qatar Grand Prix sprint race, edging out Mercedes’ George Russell by just 0.032 seconds. The 20-year-old Australian delivered a flawless lap to secure the top spot on the starting grid, marking another milestone in his impressive rookie season.
Championship leader Lando Norris qualified third after a small mistake in the final corner, which prevented him from challenging Piastri for the top spot. Title rival Max Verstappen struggled with car handling and bouncing issues, ultimately settling for sixth place. These results set the stage for an intense sprint race, where every position and point will be crucial for the championship battle.
The sprint race takes place on Saturday, and a strong performance by Piastri could significantly close the gap to Norris in the title race. Norris will aim to defend his lead and maintain momentum heading into the final stages of the season. With tight competition among the top three contenders, fans can expect thrilling on-track battles at the Lusail International Circuit.