Piastri Tops Qatar GP Practice, McLaren Shows Strong Pace

McLaren's Oscar Piastri led the sole practice session for the FIA Formula 1 Qatar Grand Prix, closely followed by his teammate Lando Norris. Championship leader Max Verstappen finished a distant sixth, highlighting potential challenges for Red Bull at the Lusail circuit.

Why it matters:

This year's Qatar Grand Prix is a Sprint weekend, meaning the single practice session was critical for teams to dial in their cars before qualifying. McLaren's strong showing, particularly with both drivers at the top, suggests they could be a significant threat, while Verstappen's struggles with car balance and power unit clipping could open the door for rivals.

The details:

• McLaren Dominance: Oscar Piastri set the fastest time with a 1:20.924, just 0.058 seconds ahead of Lando Norris, who initially topped the session before Piastri's final flyer.
• Verstappen's Struggles: Max Verstappen, who can clinch his maiden world title if he wins the Grand Prix on Sunday, reported significant balance issues, describing his car as "jumping a lot." He also complained about "power unit clipping" in Turn 6, calling it a "disaster" for exit speed.
• Tyre Limitations: Due to high tyre wear last year, a strict 25-lap limit is imposed on each set of C1-C3 tyres this weekend, cumulatively counted across all sessions. This adds a strategic layer to tyre management.
• Busy Session: All 20 drivers were out early in the hour-long session, focusing on longer runs with harder compounds before switching to soft tyres for qualifying simulations in the final 10 minutes.
• Other Notables: Fernando Alonso secured third for Aston Martin, followed by Carlos Sainz (Williams) in fourth and Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls) in fifth. Alex Albon, Charles Leclerc, Lance Stroll, and Kimi Antonelli rounded out the top 10.

The big picture:

The strong performance from both McLarens suggests the team has found a good setup for the high-speed Lusail circuit. Red Bull's early struggles, particularly with Verstappen's feedback on car balance and power, could indicate that they are not as comfortable here as they have been at other tracks this season. The unique challenges of a Sprint weekend, combined with tyre wear regulations, mean that every session is crucial and can dramatically alter the competitive order.

What's next:

Teams will now head directly into qualifying, where the pecking order established in this single practice session will be tested. Resolving Red Bull's issues will be paramount for Verstappen if he aims to secure his title with a strong performance. McLaren will be looking to capitalize on their strong start, while other teams like Aston Martin and Williams will aim to maintain their competitive edge shown in practice.