(Doha) Oscar Piastri (McLaren) created a surprise on Saturday by taking pole position for the Qatar GP sprint, ahead of his teammate Lando Norris and Max Verstappen (Red Bull), who can be crowned world champion for the third time straight away Saturday evening.
The Australian rookie, who obtained his first podium in Japan two weeks ago (3e), snatched the best time during his last lap from under the nose of Norris, whom he was ahead of by 82 thousandths after an error by the Briton in the last corner during his final attempt.
” I am very happy. It was a good ride. I saw Lando’s mistake on the big screens in the last corner. I don’t know what his turn was like so far, but I’m very happy,” Piastri emphasized. I suffered a little in the first two parts of the qualifier, but everything went well in the last part. »
Verstappen, who only needs three points during the sprint which will be contested at night to secure a third world crown, has been relegated to third place, 192 thousandths behind, and will start on the second row, alongside the British George Russell (Mercedes).
The two Ferraris of Spaniard Carlos Sainz and Monegasque Charles Leclerc will start from fifth and sixth position. The German Nico Hülkenberg took a good seventh place, ahead of the other Red Bull of Sergio Pérez.
The only driver who can still delay Verstappen’s announced coronation, the Mexican however has little chance of achieving it after another disappointing qualification.
THE top 10 is completed by the Spaniard Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) and the French Esteban Ocon (Alpine), who saw his only time deleted for going out of track limits.
Seven-time British world champion Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) was trapped during Q2, his best lap also being invalidated for exceeding the track limits, which dropped him to 12e row, behind the other Frenchman Pierre Gasly (Alpine).
The Lusail circuit layout was slightly altered at turns 12 and 13 on Saturday after Pirelli, the sole tire supplier, noted significant tire degradation on the curbs at that location during free practice on Friday.
Before qualifying for the sprint, the drivers were therefore entitled to a 10-minute “familiarization” driving session to get to grips with these track modifications.