Piastri Tops Qatar Practice Ahead of Norris and Alonso

Oscar Piastri led a McLaren 1-2 in the sole practice session for the Qatar Grand Prix, with teammate Lando Norris in second. Fernando Alonso secured third for Aston Martin, hinting at a competitive weekend, while reigning champion Max Verstappen finished sixth after encountering minor issues.

Why it matters:

This single practice session provides the only data for teams before qualifying, making Piastri's performance a significant early indicator. McLaren's strong showing, particularly a 1-2 finish, suggests they could be major contenders for pole position and race victory, putting pressure on championship leader Max Verstappen.

The details:

• McLaren Dominance: Oscar Piastri clocked the fastest lap in FP1, followed closely by Lando Norris, who recovered from an early off-track excursion to secure P2. This strong performance positions McLaren as a potential threat to Red Bull.
• Alonso's Surprise Pace: Fernando Alonso jumped to third place late in the session, showcasing Aston Martin's potential despite a relatively quiet start to practice.
• Verstappen's Early Struggles: Max Verstappen, despite setting early pace, finished P6, reporting minor "clipping" and gear shift issues. This suggests Red Bull might not have the immediate dominance seen in previous weekends.
• Other Notable Performances: Carlos Sainz (Ferrari) took fourth, and Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls) impressed with a fifth-place finish. Alex Albon (Williams) and Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) were seventh and eighth, respectively, with Leclerc also experiencing an off-track moment.
• Midfield Scramble: Lance Stroll (Aston Martin) secured ninth, and Kimi Antonelli rounded out the top 10. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) finished P11, indicating a tight midfield battle.
• Qualifying Simulations: The session concluded with teams focusing on qualifying simulations, leading to a flurry of faster lap times in the final minutes.

The big picture:

The compressed schedule, with only one practice session before qualifying, places immense pressure on teams to extract maximum performance quickly. McLaren's immediate pace is a stark contrast to their early-season struggles and underscores their recent performance surge. Red Bull's relatively muted performance, coupled with Verstappen's complaints, could open the door for competitors, especially in qualifying, where track evolution is rapid. The high temperatures and unique circuit demands of Lusail will further test driver and car limits throughout the weekend.

What's next:

Qualifying for the Qatar Grand Prix is set to begin shortly after this practice session. Given the limited track time, drivers and teams will need to translate their FP1 findings into immediate qualifying pace. McLaren will aim to maintain their momentum and challenge for pole, while Red Bull will be working hard to resolve Verstappen's minor issues and assert their usual dominance. The results of qualifying will be crucial in setting the tone for the rest of the race weekend.