Seventeenth, very hot stage of the world championship Formula 1. To the Lusail circuit it was staged in Qatar sprint qualifying session which established the starting grid for the short race on Saturday. The grid for the Sunday race, however, has already been established by the qualifications held yesterday. It is remembered, in fact, that in sprint weekend Saturday is a day in itself. A fantastic Oscar Piastri took pole position, which however does not call into question themortgage of the drivers' title victory in the sprint by Max Verstappen. Norris follows his teammate, Verstappen is only third.
SQ1: McLaren and Mercedes try to undermine Verstappen
The start of the sprint shootout suffered a postponement of twenty minutes to allow the drivers to adapt to the changes made to the curbs. The cause is attributable to the problems encountered with the Pirelli tires bring in Qatar and with track limits. Tantrums known since first free practice session. As per regulation, the riders took to the track with medium tyres for this first round. The McLarens got off to a great start, with Norris and Piastri behind Verstappen with four minutes to go. The evolution of the track is remarkable, and doesn't allow anyone to feel comfortable until the end of the session.
The SF-23 suffers greatly, having great difficulty coping with the wind. Leclerc had his time canceled due to track limits, finding himself 15th with one minute to go. The Monegasque gets away at the last second, climbing to 11th position. Not making the cut are Stroll, Albon, Tsunoda, Magnussen and Sargeant. The Japanese driver broke the track limits, being relegated to third to last position. Excellent Lawson in tenth position. Russell's Mercedes did well, first in this round initial. Sainz was better than his teammate: the Spaniard finished fifth.
The Ferraris are saved in SQ2. Hamilton out
The second round also begins and the drivers take to the track again with the medium compound. Round starting with the same leitmotiv of the previous one: Leclerc and Hamilton's first attempt times cancelled. The case of Sainz is singular, as he does three warm-up laps before launching. Probably a mistake on the first try. Midway through the round, Norris and Piastri sandwich Verstappen. Behind the top three is Perez. With three minutes to go the Ferraris are excluded. Sainz closes the lap placing himself in a very uncomfortable ninth position, but his time is canceled for violating the track limits. Excluding Gasly, Hamilton, Bottas, Lawson and Zhou. The seven-time world champion and the American had their time cancelled. Fantastic Hulkenberg in ninth position. The Ferraris are saved: Leclerc is sixth and Sainz seventh. At the top are Norris, Russell, Perez and, only fourth, Verstappen.
A surprising Piastri mocks Norris and Verstappen
Everyone on track on soft tires for the last eight minutes of this eventful session. The first to launch is Verstappen, followed by Ferrari. Max's time is erased, this allows Perez to take provisional pole position. The Monegasque continues to find no peace: for him double cancellation due to track limits in two consecutive attempts. Leclerc faces SQ3, in fact, with only one valid timed lap. Pole position goes to Piastri, who thanks to a tightrope ride will start first in tonight's sprint. Teammate Lando Norris lost the last attempt by making a mistake on the last corner. Behind the Australian is Lando Norris followed by Verstappen. Russell he is the first of the others, ahead of Sainz e Leclerc. Still amazing Hulkenberg: seventh ahead of Perez, Alonso – relegated due to track limits – e Or with.
