Oscar Piastri's day! The Australian, in pole-position for the Grand Prix of Qatar

Norris, the overall driver leader with two races remaining this season, was leading after the first fast laps of Q3, holding a 0.035-second lead over Piastri. On his second fast lap, Norris made a mistake in turn two, so he was unable to improve his time and allowed Piastri to “blow” his first position.

Oscar Piastri, in pole position for the Qatar Grand Prix

The Australian, who he also won the sprint race todaymanaged to stop the clock at 1:19.387, a time 0.108 seconds better than his Norriswho will still start from the front line. The third claimant to the title will start from the third position, Max Verstappenwho was 0.264 seconds slower than Piastri at the end of qualifying.

The world champion will share the second row with George Russell, and behind them, from the third row, will go Kimi Antonelli and Isack Hadjar. Carlos Sainz and Fernando Alonso will form the all-Spanish fourth line, ahead of Pierre Gasly and Charles Leclerc, who will complete the top 10 at the start.

Just 24 hours after his best result as a Red Bull driver in sprint qualifying, Yuki Tsunoda failed to even qualify for Q2, finishing 16th in Q1, 0.080 seconds behind Pierre Gasly.

Third time in a row with Lewis Hamilton eliminated in Q1!

Along with Tsunoda, eliminated at the end of the first 18 minutes of the fight for pole position were Esteban Ocon, Lewis Hamilton, Lance Stroll and Franco Colapinto.

For seven-time champion Hamilton, this is the third consecutive qualification in which he has failed to get past the first stage. Last week in Las Vegas, the British Ferrari driver was the slowest of them all in qualifying, and in the two qualifiers in Qatar today and Friday, he was 18th. He will start from the next position, however, because Gabriel Bortoleto has to serve a 5-place suspension.

source: X @ F1

The Qatar Grand Prix, the 23rd round of the 2025 Formula 1 season, is scheduled for Sunday at 18:00.

What the title fight looks like with two races (Qatar and Abu Dhabi) remaining:

1. Lando Norris – 396 points

2. Oscar Piastri – 374

3. Max Verstappen – 371