Qatar Grand Prix Provisional Starting Grid Revealed

Oscar Piastri has secured pole position for the Qatar Grand Prix, backing up his sprint qualifying performance with another strong showing. He will start ahead of the championship leader and Max Verstappen, who begins in third. Meanwhile, Ferrari faced a dismal qualifying session, with Charles Leclerc starting tenth and Lewis Hamilton eliminated in Q1.

Why it matters:

This grid sets the stage for a critical race in the penultimate round of the 2025 season, especially with overtaking proving difficult in Qatar. Piastri's pole puts him in a strong position, while the championship leader's error could prove costly. Ferrari's struggles continue to be a talking point, impacting their championship aspirations.

The Details:

• Front Row: Oscar Piastri (McLaren) starts on pole, affirming his strong form after also taking sprint pole. He will be joined by the championship leader, who made a crucial error on his final lap.
• Top Five: Max Verstappen (Red Bull) lines up third, ready to challenge the McLarens. The Mercedes duo, George Russell and Kimi Antonelli, complete the top five.
• Ferrari's Woes: Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) qualified tenth after a Q3 spin, while Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) suffered an early exit in Q1, placing him seventeenth on the grid. This marks another disappointing performance for the Scuderia.
• Mid-Grid Surprises: Isack Hadjar and Carlos Sainz will start sixth and seventh. Fernando Alonso and an impressive Pierre Gasly secured eighth and ninth, respectively.
• Strategic Impact: The mandatory two-stop rule, reintroduced for safety, will heavily influence race strategies. Drivers are limited to 25 laps per tire set, potentially leading to more converged strategies across teams, although tire compound choices for the three scheduled stints remain open.

What's next:

With Piastri on pole and a mandatory two-stop strategy in play, the Qatar Grand Prix promises strategic depth and intense racing. The championship leader will need to overcome a starting disadvantage, while Verstappen will be looking to capitalize on any opportunities. All eyes will also be on Ferrari to see if they can recover from their poor qualifying performance and make significant inroads during the race.