Qatar GP: Piastri Edges Norris in Sole FP1 Session

Oscar Piastri led Lando Norris in the lone Free Practice 1 session for the Qatar Grand Prix, a crucial early advantage as Piastri looks to keep his championship hopes alive against his McLaren teammate. With Norris holding a 24-point lead in the standings, this weekend demands a strong performance from Piastri to narrow the gap.

Why it matters:

This single practice session sets the tone for a Sprint weekend, meaning teams have very little time to optimize their cars. For Piastri, outperforming Norris in FP1 is not just a moral victory but a vital early psychological blow in their intra-team championship battle, especially as Norris needs only to outscore Piastri and Max Verstappen by two points to secure the title.

The Details:

• Early Pace: George Russell set the initial benchmark with a 1:24.7, while Norris struggled with oversteer, placing outside the top ten.
• Championship Rivals: Max Verstappen briefly held the top spot, two-tenths ahead of Piastri, as the field quickly got up to speed.
• Driver Concerns: Several drivers reported issues: Russell's 'cockpit is hot,' Verstappen's 'steering feels really weird,' and Charles Leclerc noted he didn't 'feel a thing with this power steering.'
• Track Challenges: Leclerc ran wide at Turn 4, possibly due to wind, while Verstappen complained about traffic. Oliver Bearman and Lewis Hamilton also had off-track excursions.
• McLaren's Adjustments: McLaren made setup changes, with Piastri initially P12 and Norris last. Norris later improved after receiving corner-specific advice from his engineer.
• Soft Tyre Strategy: Oliver Bearman was the first to switch to soft Pirelli tires, jumping from last to third, demonstrating the potential grip advantage.
• Piastri's Edge: In the final minutes, Piastri, on soft tires, posted a 1:20.924, placing him 0.058 seconds ahead of Norris. Norris's attempt to reclaim the lead was thwarted by a minor off-track moment.

Looking Ahead:

Piastri's FP1 performance in Qatar is a significant statement of intent. While it's just practice, taking the top spot ahead of his championship rival, Norris, provides crucial momentum for the Sprint qualifying and race sessions. The limited practice time means McLaren's early setup success could translate into a strong weekend for both drivers. The real test will be maintaining this performance through the high-pressure Sprint format.