Source – Formula1.com
At the Qatar Grand Prix, Lando Norris has jumped to the top of the Sprint standings, dominating every part of a crowded Sprint Qualifying session. Meanwhile, George Russell broke the McLaren front row lockout by finishing second quickest.
The Lusail International Circuit, illuminated brilliantly under Qatar’s floodlights, set the stage for a captivating Sprint Qualifying session. Lando Norris, the McLaren ace, stole the show with a dominant performance across all three segments, claiming a well-earned Sprint pole. His assured pace and precision were unmatched as he laid down an untouchable 1m 21.012s in SQ3, leaving his competitors scrambling to find answers. It was a statement lap from Norris, who is riding high on momentum as the season nears its conclusion.
Oscar Piastri appeared poised to join his teammate on the front row, continuing his impressive rookie campaign. However, George Russell intervened with a brilliant final lap to snatch P2, relegating Piastri to third. The McLaren duo, though separated, underscored the team’s growing strength in recent races, signaling a significant challenge to their rivals. Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz put in a last-gasp effort to take fourth, adding a splash of red to the top of the grid, while teammate Charles Leclerc secured fifth, showcasing Ferrari’s consistency under pressure.
Further down the order, Max Verstappen’s sixth-place finish stood out as a rare subdued qualifying performance from the reigning world champion. It was an unusual sight, especially given his dominance throughout the season. Lewis Hamilton followed closely in seventh, with his Mercedes team showing glimpses of competitiveness but unable to breach the upper echelons of the leaderboard. Pierre Gasly, in a resurgent Alpine, impressed with eighth place, while Nico Hulkenberg delivered a commendable ninth for Haas. Rookie Liam Lawson continued to prove his mettle with a solid tenth, further bolstering his reputation.
Fernando Alonso, the seasoned campaigner, missed out on the final shootout by a whisker, placing 11th. The Aston Martin veteran’s frustration was evident, but the competitive midfield battle left no room for errors. Sharing the sixth row with Alonso is Alex Albon, who squeezed everything out of his Williams but ultimately fell short of a top-ten spot. Valtteri Bottas enjoyed a promising session for Kick Sauber, securing 13th and highlighting the team’s progress.
The Aston Martin garage faced double disappointment, as Lance Stroll could manage only 14th. The Canadian driver has struggled to match Alonso’s pace this season, and the trend continued in Qatar. Kevin Magnussen rounded out the top 15 for Haas, leaving the Dane searching for more pace heading into the race.
For Sergio Perez, it was yet another forgettable session, with the Red Bull driver exiting in SQ1. His struggles in qualifying have become a recurring theme, and a P16 start does little to alleviate the mounting pressure on him. Yuki Tsunoda’s P17 finish added to Red Bull’s mixed fortunes, with the Japanese driver expressing visible disappointment over his performance. Esteban Ocon and Zhou Guanyu were also eliminated early, with the latter struggling to extract pace from his car under the lights.
The session began with a buzz of anticipation as drivers rolled out on medium tires in SQ1. The rapid evolution of the track, combined with the floodlit spectacle, created a high-pressure environment. Lando Norris wasted no time stamping his authority, setting the pace early and improving consistently. The midfield, meanwhile, witnessed an intense battle, with mere tenths of a second separating those who advanced from those who didn’t.
As SQ2 unfolded, the competition only intensified. Charles Leclerc initially set the tone, but Oscar Piastri and Norris quickly took over, demonstrating McLaren’s exceptional form. Fernando Alonso’s late elimination from the top ten added to the drama, as did Alex Albon’s narrow miss despite a strong effort. Pierre Gasly and Liam Lawson were among those who shone in this segment, securing their places in the final shootout.
In the eight-minute SQ3, the soft tires came into play, and all eyes were on the fight for pole. Norris emerged as the clear favorite, delivering a stunning lap that left his rivals chasing shadows. While Piastri looked set to join him on the front row, Russell’s late heroics disrupted McLaren’s plans. Sainz and Leclerc ensured Ferrari had a strong presence, but Verstappen’s and Hamilton’s relatively subdued performances were the surprise of the evening.
As the dust settled, Norris’s pole position stood as a testament to McLaren’s upward trajectory. The young Brit’s consistency across all three sessions was a masterclass in precision and speed. The stage is now set for an electrifying Sprint, with a tightly-packed grid promising wheel-to-wheel action under the Qatari night sky.
