Oscar Piastri wins a phenomenal pole position in Losail ahead of Lando Norris and Max Verstappen and keeps his World Championship dream alive
Oscar Piastri is officially back. After the triumph in the Sprint Race, the Australian also conquered the pole position of the Qatar GP by signing a masterful lap in 1’19”387, a new track record. A performance that overturns the narrative of a driver in crisis from Monza onwards and puts him back at the center of the fight for the title. The world championship leader will start next to him Lando Norris, then Max Verstappen to complete a thrilling starting grid.
A McLaren dominantcapable of trimming almost three tenths off the competition (or rather, on the only rivals, Verstappen and Russell). Norris had taken provisional pole in the first run of Q3 by taking advantage of Max’s involuntary slipstream, but a mistake in turn two forced him to abort the final attempt. Piastri, on the other hand, put together a perfect lap just when it counted, demonstrating nerves of steel and an absolute speed that once again calls everything into question.
The qualification in summary
Behind the McLarens, Verstappen snatched third place by just eleven thousandths of a second George Russelldespite a Red Bull that has improved its balance and lacks the bouncing that had penalized it in the Sprint. Mercedes also boasts for a solid Kimi Antonelliin front of Hadjarauthor of a great qualifying with Racing Bulls and already linked to the Red Bull seat for 2026.
Also in the qualifying points area Sainz seventh, the everlasting Alonso eighth, Gasley ninth (absolute surprise in qualifying), e Leclerc tenth.
The desolate crisis of Ferrari
There Ferrari he suffers terribly from the fast corners of Losail and shows an SF-25 nervous and unpredictable. Leclerc ended up spinning in Q3 in the final sector, while attempting an almost impossible assault, grazing the barriers at 288 km/h and causing the red flag to clear the gravel. The Monegasque finished tenth, more than a second behind Piastri: a figure that speaks volumes for a car clearly outside the performance window.
Lewis Hamilton was much worse, eliminated in Q1 for the third time in a row: 18th and four tenths behind his teammate. The seven-time champion spoke of minimal improvements and a lap compromised by traffic, but the message is clear: there is no margin, no confidence. Hamilton is truly a case, and we hope it is a case that will be resolved as soon as possible. “It’s the worst moment of my career,” admitted the British driver. There is no doubt about this: not even a podium in 22 racesjust so many disappointments. We are still waiting (hopefully not in vain) for the real Hamilton in Ferrari, and not the very bad copy seen so far.
Mclaren vs the Verstappen phenomenon
Qatar confirms a verdict: the comparison between the McLaren and Verstappen duo is more than lively. Norris leads the world championship with 22 points on Piastri after the Sprint, but the Australian needed a champion’s shot to stay in the fight, and he found it when the pressure was maximum. Max is not far away and will undoubtedly try to compete in the race, on a track where overtaking is very complicated. However, it is probable that if it had not been Verstappen but anyone else driving the Red Bull, the world championship would have been in the hands of one of the two McLaren drivers for some time now. But the absolute phenomenon is there, and he intends to battle until the last corner.
The GP will start tomorrow (Sunday 30 November) at 5pm. Three men: the Mclaren duo with the best performing car and the best driver overall (reigning champion) for a world championship that still remains very open.
