Lando Norris took impressive pole position in the Qatar GP Sprint as McLaren fought off the first constructors’ battle with Ferrari by taking first and third in the group on Saturday.
Five days after securing the Drivers’ Championship against Max Verstappen in Las Vegas, Norris won all three Sprint Qualifying sessions around the Lusail International Circuit to take pole position.
But Mercedes’ George Russell – winner of the race in Las Vegas – refused to chase the McLaren to close in front and pushed Oscar Piastri to another position at the front.
Norris’ time of 1:21.012 was 0.063s ahead of Russell, while Piastri was adrift 0.096s.
Ferrari, who trailed McLaren by 24 points heading into the two-weekend, looked quick in the only practice session but were unable to challenge them, with Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc only finishing fourth and fifth respectively.
New four-year champion Verstappen was not included in Red Bull and could only manage sixth, although he was 10 places ahead of team-mate Sergio Perez.
With no end to his Red Bull woes in sight, Perez was kicked out of SQ1 in 16th place – the seventh time in qualifying this year that the Mexican has failed to clear the first hurdle.
Lewis Hamilton was also well clear of Mercedes teammate Russell and will start seventh, with Alpine’s Pierre Gasly eighth.
More to follow…
Sky Sports F1 Qatar GP coverage
Saturday November 30
12.10pm: F1 Academy Qualifying
1pm: Build-up to the Qatar GP Sprint
2pm: QATAR GP SPRINT
3.30pm: Ted’s Sprint Notebook
4pm: F2 Sprint Race
5.15pm: Proper preparation for the Qatar GP
6pm: QATAR GP QUALIFYING
8pm: F1 Academy: Race One
8.45pm: Ted’s Qualifying Notebook
Sunday December 1
10.55am: F1 Academy Race Two
12.15pm: F2 Feature Race
2.30pm: Grand Prix Sunday: Build-up to the Qatar GP
4pm: THE QATAR GRAND PRIX
6pm: Checkered flag: Qatar GP reaction
7pm: Ted’s Notebook
Formula 1’s triple final continues this weekend with the Qatar Grand Prix, live on Sky Sports F1. Watch the last two F1 races and more with NOW Sports Month Membership – No contract, cancel anytime
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