2025 Qatar Grand Prix - Lusail, Nov 28 - 30 Sportsbook Motor Sport

[Tom]

Friday 28 November
Practice - 13.30
Sprint Qualifying - 17.30

Saturday 29 November
Sprint Race - 14.00
Qualifying - 18.00

Sunday 30 November
Race - 16.00



So does Lando lock down the championship this weekend, or will Max further erode his lead?

I see Max cutting the lead, but not enough that put control of the championship in his hands, and he will need something to happen to Lando in the last race to win.

 

[Franco Pinion]

Fresh off his Sprint victory, Oscar Piastri produced one of the standout laps of the season to take pole - a result that places all three championship contenders at the top of the grid. His 1:19.387 was exact when it mattered, denying teammate Lando Norris and keeping Max Verstappen close enough to send the 2025 F1 World Championship hurtling toward a spectacular showdown on Sunday.

Earlier in the day, Piastri won the Sprint from pole, leading all 19 laps ahead of Russell and Norris. Verstappen climbed from P6 to P4 but battled porpoising throughout. Tsunoda and Antonelli were both penalised for track limits, finishing P5 and P6.

If Norris wins tomorrow, he will become world champion for the first time. Piastri will be aiming to win the race and further reduce the gap to his teammate. Max Verstappen, from P3, has a different objective entirely - finish ahead of Norris and drag the title fight to Abu Dhabi.

1	Oscar Piastri	McLaren	1:20.234	1:19.650	1:19.387
2	Lando Norris	McLaren	1:20.157	1:19.861	1:19.495
3	Max Verstappen	Red Bull Racing	1:20.472	1:19.985	1:19.651
4	George Russell	Mercedes	1:20.074	1:20.186	1:19.662
5	Kimi Antonelli	Mercedes	1:20.576	1:20.084	1:19.846
6	Isack Hadjar	Racing Bulls	1:20.603	1:20.350	1:20.114
7	Carlos Sainz	Williams	1:20.520	1:20.251	1:20.287
8	Fernando Alonso	Aston Martin	1:20.598	1:20.219	1:20.418
9	Pierre Gasly	Alpine	1:20.681	1:20.324	1:20.477
10	Charles Leclerc	Ferrari	1:20.564	1:20.343	1:20.561
11	Nico Hulkenberg	Kick Sauber	1:20.630	1:20.353
12	Liam Lawson	Racing Bulls	1:20.539	1:20.433
13	Oliver Bearman	Haas F1 Team	1:20.548	1:20.438
14	Gabriel Bortoleto	Kick Sauber	1:20.653	1:20.534
15	Alexander Albon	Williams	1:20.629	1:20.629
16	Yuki Tsunoda	Red Bull Racing	1:20.761
17	Esteban Ocon	Haas F1 Team	1:20.864
18	Lewis Hamilton	Ferrari	1:20.907
19	Lance Stroll	Aston Martin	1:21.058
20	Franco Colapinto	Alpine	1:21.137

Teams are being told that they must make at least two pit stops over the course of Sunday's race. The rule, however, isn't as simple as "teams must pit twice". Instead, each set of tyres is restricted to a total of 25 laps of running over the course of the weekend – opening up some intriguing strategy choices.

 

[Son Of Jack]

I think Norris will probably be the Champion at the end of the race although we could see some action in the first couple of corners/laps.

Very strange the way Piastri lost form after the summer break.

 

[Franco Pinion]

I think Max is most likely to gamble and try the impossible.

 

[Son Of Jack]

The two stop requirement might come into play if they are all close enough.

 

[Son Of Jack]

Norris with yet another poor start. Piastri leads from Max

 

[Franco Pinion]

This is perfect for Piastri.

 

[Son Of Jack]

This could be how it finishes. Very difficult to overtake here.

 

[Franco Pinion]

Lap 5 and already in tyre management mode.

We have a yellow flag. Hulkenberg out. Gasly has damage. Safety car out.

It is right on the limit, will anyone pit?

 

[Son Of Jack]

It is right on the limit, will anyone pit?

Verstappen has pitted along with both Mercedes.

Neither McLarens have pitted.