Oscar Piastri has claimed Pole Position under the lights in Qatar, as Lando Norris failed to get a second flying lap in. Its shaping up to be a mighty race tomorrow as our championship contenders battle for the win.
Q1 exit for Hamilton once again.
There was already chaos when Q1 started after Alex Albon had a pitlane incident. Piastri set the fastest lap of the first laps with a 1.20.739. Norris struggled in his first lap slotting into P5. Both Ferraris struggled in the first of runs as Leclerc was running in P16 and Hamilton in P18.
Alonso put in a cracking lap placing him in second. As the track ramped up, Max Verstappen set a lap time of 1.20.53 followed by Norris and Piastri. George Russell topped the times in Q1 with 1.20.074. Hamilton once again exited in Q1 along with Tsunoda, Ocon, Stroll and Colapinto.
Photo Credits: Formula 1
Gravel causing delays in Q2
Q2 was slightly delayed due to gravel on track. It was all to play for for Leclerc as he only had 1 set of new tyres left. Meanwhile, Norris had a lap time deleted for track limits, putting him under pressure for his second run.
Piastri topped the times in Q2 with a 1:19.650 followed by his teammate and Verstappen. Hulkenberg, Lawson, Bearman, Bortoleto and Albon were all knocked out in Q2.
Red Flag in Q3
Verstappen was eager to get out of the pits for Q3 followed by Norris. However, Sainz took the prize for the most unusual exit from the pits with plastic wrapped around his tyre. The plastic fell off which caused a red flag and is to be investigated after the session. Meanwhile, Leclerc had a tough session which a spin that he managed to save.
Photo Credits: Formula 1
Oscar Piastri takes Pole
It was neck and neck for the McLarens at the start of Q3. However, a mistake from Norris meant he failed to get final run in and depended on his earlier run.
Russell and Verstappen were putting in some solid sectors, but it was Piastri who was lighting up the track. The Australian claimed Pole Position with a 1.19.387 followed by Norris whose earlier lap time was enough to keep him on the front row. Max Verstappen will be starting in third.
Photo Credits: Formula 1
The championship showdown continues
It’s a real showdown at the front of the grid tomorrow as our top three championship contenders will battle it out into turn one. If Norris wins tomorrow, he will become champion. However, with Piastri on pole and Verstappen close behind it’s impossible to tell how this race will go.
Your starting top 10 tomorrow are as follows
- Oscar Piastri
- Lando Norris
- Max Verstappen
- George Russell
- Kimi Antonelli
- Isack Hadjar
- Carlos Sainz
- Fernando Alonso
- Pierre Gasly
- Charles Leclerc