Qatar GP Sprint Shootout: Oscar Piastri takes maiden Sprint pole as Max Verstappen remains on course to seal title

Oscar Piastri beat his McLaren teammate Lando Norris; Max Verstappen, who needed just three Sprint points to seal a third consecutive drivers’ title, was third; watch the Qatar GP Sprint live on Sky Sports F1 at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, with preparation starting at 5:30 p.m.

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Oscar Piastri produced a sensational lap to win the sprint pole at the Qatar Grand Prix after chaos over track limits resulted in many drivers’ lap times being deleted.

Oscar Piastri edged out McLaren teammate Lando Norris to win the Qatar Grand Prix Sprint Shootout, while Max Verstappen remained on course to seal the world championship later on Saturday.

Piastri clocked 1:24.454 to beat Norris by just under a tenth of a second, during a chaotic session that saw drivers repeatedly lose lap times for failing to respect the track limits on the Losail international circuit.

Verstappen, who needs just three Sprint points – live on Sky Sports F1 at 6.30pm – to seal his third consecutive drivers’ title, was third behind the McLarens.

George Russell finished fourth ahead of Ferrari duo Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc, but his Mercedes teammate Lewis Hamilton will start from 12th after making a surprise exit in SQ2.

Qatar GP penalty shootout result
1) Oscar Piastri, McLaren
2) Lando Norris, McLaren
3) Max Verstappen, Red Bull
4) George Russell, Mercedes
5) Carlos Sainz, Ferrari
6) Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
7) Nico Hulkenberg, Haas
8) Sergio Pérez, Red Bull
9) Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin
10) Esteban Ocon, Alpine

More soon…

Will Max Verstappen win his third world championship title in his first attempt at the Qatar GP? Watch every session of the Sprint Weekend live on Sky Sports F1 from October 6-8. Stream F1 on Sky Sports with NOW for £21 a month for six months