Piastri Leads Norris in Tight Qatar GP FP1
Oscar Piastri edged out Lando Norris by just 0.058 seconds in the sole practice session for the 2025 Qatar Grand Prix, with McLaren securing a dominant 1-2 finish. This crucial session sets the stage for a tight Sprint weekend, where Norris could potentially clinch the F1 title. Fernando Alonso placed third, while George Russell, despite early pace, fell to 14th.
Oscar Piastri set the pace in the solitary practice session for the 2025 Qatar Grand Prix, clocking a 1:20.924, just 0.058 seconds ahead of his championship rival and McLaren teammate, Lando Norris. This crucial session, the only practice before Sprint qualifying, saw McLaren establish early dominance on a Sprint weekend.
Why it matters:
- With only one practice session on a Sprint weekend, FP1 results offer the only true indication of raw pace before competitive sessions begin. McLaren's 1-2 finish suggests they've found a strong setup early, which is critical for championship implications.
- Lando Norris holds a 24-point lead in the Drivers' standings and could clinch the title in Qatar if he outscores Piastri and Max Verstappen by just two points, making every session vital.
The details:
- Early Pace: George Russell initially showed strong pace on the hard Pirelli tires, running two-tenths clear of Max Verstappen, while the McLaren drivers struggled early.
- Soft Tire Surge: As drivers switched to soft tires for qualifying simulations in the final 15 minutes, Oscar Piastri dramatically improved to take the top spot with a 1:20.924.
- McLaren Dominance: Piastri finished 0.058s ahead of Lando Norris, solidifying McLaren's strong start to the weekend.
- Notable Performances: Fernando Alonso secured third for Aston Martin, followed by Carlos Sainz (Williams) in fourth, and Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls) in fifth.
- Unexpected Drops: Despite his early pace on hard tires, George Russell dropped to 14th on the softs, indicating potential struggles with the softer compound or setup changes.
By the numbers:
- Oscar Piastri McLaren 1:20.924
- Lando Norris McLaren +0.058
- Fernando Alonso Aston Martin +0.386
- Carlos Sainz Williams +0.480
- Isack Hadjar Racing Bulls +0.579
- Max Verstappen Red Bull Racing +0.580
- Alexander Albon Williams +0.685
- Charles Leclerc Ferrari +0.744
- Lance Stroll Aston Martin +0.745
- Kimi Antonelli Mercedes +0.774
What's next:
The focus immediately shifts to Sprint Qualifying later today, where drivers will battle for grid positions in tomorrow's Sprint Race. The performance in FP1 suggests McLaren will be a formidable force, but other teams, particularly Aston Martin and Williams, showed flashes of competitive pace that could challenge the championship leaders. All eyes will be on Norris as he attempts to convert his championship lead into a title in the penultimate race of the season.