Piastri Leads Norris in Qatar Practice as Verstappen Struggles

Oscar Piastri led a McLaren one-two in the sole practice session for the Qatar Grand Prix, with teammate Lando Norris just behind. Reigning champion Max Verstappen, meanwhile, struggled with car drivability, managing only the sixth-fastest time. This strong showing by McLaren follows a disappointing disqualification from the Las Vegas Grand Prix just five days prior.

Why it matters:

This practice session sets the tone for the Sprint weekend, highlighting McLaren's strong form and potential to challenge for top positions, especially with Norris leading the Drivers' Championship. Verstappen's early struggles, if they persist, could open the door for McLaren to gain further ground in the title race, although Red Bull often recovers from difficult practice sessions.

The Details:

• McLaren's Dominance: Piastri edged out Norris by a mere 0.058 seconds, demonstrating McLaren's strong one-lap pace, particularly on soft tires. This performance suggests they are strong contenders for Sprint Qualifying.
• Verstappen's Issues: Max Verstappen expressed dissatisfaction with his car's drivability throughout the hour-long session, placing him sixth. Red Bull often works to address such issues quickly, but it's an unusual start for the defending champion.
• Championship Implications: Lando Norris, who currently holds a 24-point lead in the Drivers' Championship over Piastri and Verstappen, could secure the title on Sunday if he extends his lead to at least 26 points.
• Tyre Performance: McLaren showed impressive speed on soft tires, but their pace on hard tires was less convincing. This could be a factor in the longer race stints.
• Other Notables: Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) secured third, with Carlos Sainz (Williams) in fourth. Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls), rumored to be a future Red Bull driver, finished fifth.

What's next:

McLaren's strong start in practice positions them well for Sprint Qualifying later today, where they will aim to convert their one-lap speed into grid positions. Red Bull will be working intensively to resolve Verstappen's car issues ahead of the upcoming sessions. The results of Saturday's Sprint race will be crucial for championship permutations, especially for Lando Norris's title aspirations going into Sunday's Grand Prix.