2025 Qatar Grand Prix – Sprint Qualifying F1 Results

Max Verstappen led the pack in SQ1 at the 2025 Qatar Grand Prix Sprint Qualifying, setting a blistering 1:21.172. While these are early results, they hint at a familiar strong performance from Red Bull, with several midfield teams also showing promising pace. The session saw some surprising exits, notably Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc, suggesting a challenging weekend for the traditional powerhouses.

Why it matters:

Sprint qualifying sets the grid for the sprint race, which in turn awards valuable championship points. For teams like Red Bull, a strong showing here can solidify their dominance, while for others, it's a crucial opportunity to gain an advantage and secure a better starting position for the main Grand Prix.

The details:

• Verstappen Dominates SQ1: Max Verstappen (Red Bull) secured the top spot in SQ1 with a time of 1:21.172, underscoring Red Bull's continued strong form.
• Close Competition in Midfield: Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) and Oscar Piastri (McLaren) were hot on Verstappen's heels, just over a tenth of a second behind, indicating a tight battle among the top contenders.
• Unexpected Exits:
  • Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) struggled, ending SQ1 in 18th place, almost a second off Verstappen's pace.
  • Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) also had a difficult session, finishing 13th and failing to advance to SQ2.
  • Lance Stroll (Aston Martin), Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls), Pierre Gasly (Alpine), and Franco Colapinto (Alpine) were also eliminated in SQ1.
• Promising Rookies and Surprises:
  • Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls) secured an impressive 6th place, showcasing strong potential.
  • Oliver Bearman (Haas) also put in a commendable performance, advancing to SQ2 with a 10th place finish.
  • Nico Hulkenberg (Sauber) delivered a strong performance, securing 4th place and highlighting Sauber's potential.

The big picture:

This initial sprint qualifying session paints a complex picture for the 2025 Qatar Grand Prix. While Verstappen's pace reaffirms Red Bull's position at the front, the struggles of Ferrari's top drivers and the strong performances from midfield teams like Aston Martin and McLaren suggest that the race weekend could be highly unpredictable. The close margins in SQ1 also indicate that every tenth of a second will count as teams push for crucial points.

What's next:

The focus now shifts to SQ2 and SQ3, where the final grid for the sprint race will be determined. All eyes will be on whether the frontrunners can maintain their pace and if the struggling teams can find a way to improve their performance for the remainder of the weekend. The sprint race will then offer the first points-scoring opportunity, setting the stage for Sunday's main Grand Prix.