Lando Norris failed to complete his last lap in qualifying for Sunday’s crucial Qatar Grand Prix to allow F1 championship rival Oscar Piastri to take pole position.
Norris, who will start alongside his McLaren team-mate for the penultimate round of the campaign in Doha, held a slender advantage heading into the decisive concluding laps. But the British driver made a mistake when he ran wide at the second corner, and was forced to abort, leaving Piastri the chance to usurp him at the top of the order.
Piastri, a winner of the earlier sprint race here, which took him to within 22 points of Norris’ lead with 50 points still to play for, did not waste his opportunity, clinching pole by 0.108 seconds. Max Verstappen starts third to ensure he remains in the title hunt.
Norris will be crowned world champion on Sunday if he outscores Piastri by four points and Verstappen by one.
Follow live coverage of the Qatar Grand Prix with The Independent
Read MoreLando Norris hit by McLaren’s all-time F1 screw-up but one move can still save title dream
F1 world champion backs Max Verstappen to win title after McLaren disqualifications
When can Lando Norris win the 2025 F1 world championship?
F1 QATAR GRAND PRIX - LATEST UPDATES
- The Qatar Grand Prix starts on Sunday at 4pm (GMT)
- Oscar Piastri starts on pole position; Norris 2nd; Verstappen 3rd
- Norris will win the title if he wins the grand prix in Qatar
- Click HERE for the full starting grid in Lusail
- PREVIEW: How Max Verstappen clawed back 104-point deficit in F1 title race over just seven races
Oscar Piastri, after clinching pole:
15:08 , Kieran Jackson“Everything felt great all weekend, if it ain’t broke don’t fix it. Q3 was really good on the new [tyres], really happy.
On race: “Pretty tough, with 2 stops as well, we’ll be pushing pretty hard, it’ll be a tough race. It’s an insane amount of G-force around here.”
On title - win or bust? “Pretty much. Try to do more of the same from the sprint - we’ll see what we can do.”
Stars in town in Qatar
15:02 , Kieran JacksonGerrard, Beckham, Infantino - football royalty in Lusail!
Max Verstappen, after qualifying third:
14:56 , Kieran Jackson“This qualifying was a little bit better, still quite far off, felt a little bit happier but still some limitations – at least we’re in P3, starting on second row and it creates better opportunities, it’s hard to pass around here.
“Realistically, it’s a bit tough this weekend – it’s not been what I’ve wanted it to be, but we’ll see tomorrow.
“It’s still not amazing.”
Qatar GP starting grid:
14:45 , Kieran Jackson1. Oscar Piastri - McLaren
2. Lando Norris - McLaren
3. Max Verstappen - Red Bull
4. George Russell - Mercedes
5. Kimi Antonelli - Mercedes
6. Isack Hadjar - Racing Bulls
7. Carlos Sainz - Williams
8. Fernando Alonso - Aston Martin
9. Pierre Gasly - Alpine
10. Charles Leclerc - Ferrari
11. Nico Hulkenberg - Sauber
12. Liam Lawson - Racing Bulls
13. Ollie Bearman - Haas
14. Alex Albon - Williams
15. Yuki Tsunoda - Red Bull
16. Esteban Ocon - Haas
17. Lewis Hamilton - Ferrari
18. Lance Stroll - Aston Martin
19. Gabriel Bortoleto* - Sauber
20. Franco Colapinto - Alpine
*Bortoleto has a five-place grid penalty after crashing into Lance Stroll at the last race in Las Vegas
NEW: Franco Colapinto starts in the pit-lane
14:36 , Kieran JacksonThe Alpine driver, who was set to start last anyway, will start in the pit-lane after making changes to his car after qualifying.
F1 constructor standings ahead of Qatar GP
14:30 , Kieran Jackson1. McLaren - 770 points (champions)
2. Mercedes - 441 points
3. Red Bull - 400 points
4. Ferrari - 378 points
5. Williams - 122 points
6. Racing Bulls - 90 points
7. Aston Martin - 74 points
8. Haas - 73 points
9. Sauber - 68 points
10. Alpine - 22 points
Kimi Antonelli after qualifying P5:
14:15 , Kieran Jackson“I am not fully satisfied with P5 as I know we had a little bit more pace to show. That said, it is still a solid place to be starting tomorrow's race from and gives us a good chance of banking a decent number of points.
“My final lap in qualifying wasn't perfect. I had a strong second sector but struggled more than the rest of the weekend to hook up the first sector. I lost the rear a little bit at turn one and that caused me to lose some momentum.
“That always makes it a little more difficult to recover the lost time through the rest of the lap. That was disappointing, however, we improved our performance considerably compared to yesterday's sessions and I am sure we will be able to maximise the potential of the car tomorrow.
“Strategically, it should be a straightforward two-stop. The start, just like it did in today's Sprint, is likely going to play a huge role in the outcome of the race, so that is where I need to gain as many positions as possible.”
‘Talking nonsense’ – Lando Norris fires back after Max Verstappen’s title jibe
14:00 , Kieran JacksonOn the eve of the penultimate round of the season in Qatar, Red Bull’s Verstappen threw shade at Norris and team-mate Oscar Piastri when he said the title battle would be over if he was driving their car.
Responding to Verstappen’s jibe, Norris said: “Max is very welcome to say everything he wants. He has kind of earned the right because he has won four world championships.
“I have a lot of respect, and he has achieved an incredible amount – more than anyone could dream of achieving – and that gives anyone credit.
“He generally has a good clue about a lot of things, but there is also a lot of things he doesn’t have much of a clue about.
“But it is also Red Bull’s way of going about things, an aggressive nature and just talking nonsense a lot of the time.”
F1 world champion backs Max Verstappen to win title after McLaren disqualifications
13:30 , Kieran JacksonJacques Villeneuve has backed Max Verstappen to win this year’s F1 world championship after the dramatic events following the Las Vegas Grand Prix on Saturday night.
Championship leader Lando Norris had one hand on the trophy after extending his lead to 30 points over Oscar Piastri with a second-place finish in Vegas, with race winner Verstappen 42 points off the Briton.
Yet the shock double disqualification of both McLaren cars for excessive skid plank wear has thrust Verstappen back into the fight. With two rounds to go and 58 points on the table, Verstappen is now level on points with Piastri – a driver he trailed by 104 points at the start of September – and 24 behind Norris.
Full quotes below:
F1 world champion backs Max Verstappen to win title after McLaren disqualifications
PREMIUM: How son of a millionaire Lando Norris silenced naysayers by being on the cusp of F1 world title
13:00 , Kieran JacksonBy Kieran Jackson
Over the course of his career, there are two longstanding gripes that have regularly been used to discredit the achievements and skillset of Lando Norris, the McLaren driver from Somerset who is on the cusp of reaching the summit of single-seater motorsport this weekend in Qatar.
Full piece below:
How son of a millionaire Norris silenced naysayers to be on cusp of F1 world title
F1 constructor standings ahead of Qatar GP:
12:00 , Kieran Jackson1. McLaren - 770 points (champions)
2. Mercedes - 441 points
3. Red Bull - 400 points
4. Ferrari - 378 points
5. Williams - 122 points
6. Racing Bulls - 90 points
7. Aston Martin - 74 points
8. Haas - 73 points
9. Sauber - 68 points
10. Alpine - 22 points
George Russell, who starts in P4:
11:00 , Kieran Jackson“We can be pleased to be starting P4 tomorrow; it's a good place to be on the grid and gives us a solid opportunity to score strong points in our battle for P2 in the Constructors' Championship. Obviously, being so close to P3 with such a small margin of just one hundredth between us and Verstappen is annoying, but the field is so close right now.
“Both McLarens were fast throughout and did an impressive job so I think P3 was the maximum we could have hoped for. Overall, we did a good job as a team with Kimi in P5, and we will be looking to secure P2 in the standings tomorrow. Tomorrow's race will be interesting with the tyre stint limit making it a mandatory two-stop race.
“The car balance has felt good this weekend so I'm hopeful that we can be in the race for the podium. We are looking forward and let's see what the points situation is once the chequered flag falls.”
What is the start time for the Qatar Grand Prix?
10:00 , Kieran JacksonThe 57-lap race starts at 4pm (GMT).
Carlos Sainz after qualifying seventh:
10:00 , Kieran Jackson“Another good session and happy with P7. We took another step in the right direction and I think I extracted the maximum out of the car today.
“In Q3, the sticker on the floor of the garage stuck to my wheel and caused damage to the bodywork as it unravelled, but despite this I still managed to do a solid lap on the last attempt and secure a good starting position for tomorrow.
“We expect a good battle in the midfield and with two mandatory pit stops we are up for some interesting strategies. I’m confident we can execute a good race and hopefully bring more points for the team. Let’s race!”
McLaren team principal Andrea Stella ahead of the race:
09:00 , Kieran Jackson"There is still a lot of work to do to prepare for the race and we have no intention of making calculations, especially because our main opponent will be right behind us, ready to take his chances.
“As always, we will focus on ourselves to maximise our starting positions."
When can Lando Norris win the 2025 F1 world championship?
08:00 , Kieran JacksonPiastri won the sprint, closing the gap to 22 points, but Verstappen is now 25 points off Norris.
Therefore, the earliest Norris can win the title is still the Grand Prix in Qatar on Sunday 30 November. Norris will be crowned champion if he outscores Piastri by four points, and finishes ahead of Verstappen in any position, in Sunday's main event.
A points advantage of more than 25 points by the end of the Qatar Grand Prix would see him win the title with one race to spare.
PREVIEW: How Max Verstappen clawed back 104-point deficit in F1 title race over just seven races
07:00 , Kieran JacksonIt had all looked so rosy for McLaren.
When F1 returned after the customary summer break, the papaya-clad team continued where they’d left off, claiming a one-two finish at Max Verstappen’s home race, the Dutch Grand Prix.
At that stage, it was considered a decisive day in the world championship. Oscar Piastri took a 34-point lead over Lando Norris after the Briton’s unfortunate mechanical breakdown, and, in what increasingly seemed like a two-way battle, was 104 points clear of Verstappen.
Just seven races and three months on, in an inconceivable turn of events, Verstappen is back level-pegging with the Australian and just 24 off Norris with two rounds remaining.
With all eyes on Qatar this weekend, we give a race-by-race breakdown of Verstappen’s comeback and why the momentum is fully with the Dutchman as the 2025 season concludes.
Full breakdown below:
How Max Verstappen clawed back 104-point deficit in F1 title race
Max Verstappen: F1 Championship would easily be over if I had Lando Norris’ car
06:00 , Kieran JacksonAsked what would have happened this season if he was driving Norris’ McLaren, Verstappen replied without hesitation and wearing a broad smile: “We wouldn’t be talking about a championship.
“It would already have been won, easily. I mean they won the constructors’ championship so early that yeah… you can fill it in yourself.”
Lewis Hamilton gives crushing six-word interview after latest Ferrari F1 nightmare
05:00 , Kieran JacksonLewis Hamilton could not hide his deflation after only qualifying 18th for the sprint race in Qatar on Friday night.
The 40-year-old British driver, who has endured a torrid debut campaign for Ferrari, qualified dead-last in 20th at the last race in Las Vegas for the first time, on pure pace, in his 19-year F1 career.
A week on, Hamilton fared no better and was knocked out in SQ1 on Friday night at the Lusail International Circuit as he once again struggled to get to grips with his capricious Ferrari car.
Full quotes below:
Lewis Hamilton gives crushing six-word interview after latest Ferrari F1 nightmare
Aston Martin appoint new team principal after Christian Horner speculation
04:00 , Kieran JacksonAdrian Newey will become Aston Martin team principal next season.
Newey, widely considered the greatest technical mastermind of his generation, committed his long-term future to Aston Martin in September 2024 after his departure from Red Bull sparked a bidding war for his services.
Pressure has built on current team principal and CEO Andy Cowell amid a disappointing season and reported disagreements with managing technical partner Newey.
After speculation linking former Red Bull team principal Christian Horner with the Silverstone-based team resurfaced, Aston Martin announced on Wednesday evening that 66-year-old Newey will step up to take charge of trackside operations from 2026.
Lando Norris on his night's sleep:
03:00 , Kieran JacksonSleep badly Lando 👍 pic.twitter.com/sF4ptZj2Is
— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) November 29, 2025
Fernando Alonso, after qualifying eighth:
02:00 , Kieran Jackson"I was quite surprised we were able to fight for Q3 again tonight and I'm happy with P8. We only had four sets of new Softs in Qualifying, so we opted to use them in Q1 and Q2 and it meant we were left with used tyres at the end in Q3.
“We scored two points earlier in the Sprint, but I think it will be more difficult for us tomorrow as the tyre degradation is quite high. Every point is crucial at the moment for the Constructors', so we will give it our all.
Mick Schumacher confirms American career switch after latest F1 snub
01:00 , Kieran JacksonMick Schumacher has confirmed his switch to IndyCar for the 2026 season, having failed to carve a route back into Formula One.
The German driver, son of seven-time F1 world champion Michael Schumacher, had two seasons at Haas in 2021-2022 before losing his seat following a number of costly crashes.
Schumacher, 26, has competed for Alpine in the World Endurance Championship (WEC) this year – including at the 24 Hours of Le Mans race – but has made no secret of his desire to find a way back into F1.
However, having been overlooked for a seat at new team Cadillac for 2026, Schumacher has turned his attention stateside and will race for the Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing team (RLL) next year in IndyCar, after impressing in testing last month.
Charles Leclerc after qualifying 10th:
Saturday 29 November 2025 23:59 , Kieran Jackson“We gave it our all. This weekend has been very tough so far. We just don’t have the pace needed in the car on this type of track and were struggling to put in good laps in qualifying.
“We can’t hide our disappointment. I don’t have big expectations for tomorrow, but I’ll try to reset and will do my best as always to bring home a good result for the team.”
Lewis Hamilton after qualifying 18th:
Saturday 29 November 2025 23:00 , Kieran Jackson“I was generally feeling better, we made changes, the car was feeling better, just wasn’t great.”
What’s your message to Ferrari fans? “I don’t really have a message right now... I’m sorry.
“But I’m incredibly grateful for the support that I’ve had all year, I mean, I wouldn’t have made it through this year without them.”
Top-10 - F1 driver standings heading into Qatar GP
Saturday 29 November 2025 22:00 , Kieran Jackson1. Lando Norris (McLaren) – 396 points
2. Oscar Piastri (McLaren) – 374 points
3. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) – 371 points
4. George Russell (Mercedes) – 301 points
5. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) – 226 points
6. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) – 152 points
7. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) – 140 points
8. Alex Albon (Williams) – 73 points
9. Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls) – 51 points
10. Nico Hulkenberg (Sauber) - 49 points
Lewis Hamilton gives telling analysis of Ferrari F1 car before qualifying disaster
Saturday 29 November 2025 21:30 , Kieran JacksonLewis Hamilton’s end-of-season F1 nightmare continued on Saturday night as he only qualified 18th for the Qatar Grand Prix.
After being eliminated in Q1 at the last race in Las Vegas, qualifying dead-last, and in SQ1 for the sprint race in Qatar, Hamilton could not turn around his wretched form late on Saturday and was eliminated for the third consecutive time in the first session of qualifying.
The seven-time world champion, still without a podium to his name in Ferrari red, was unable to find any further performance out of his troublesome car and will start third-last once again.
Full quotes below:
Lewis Hamilton gives telling analysis of Ferrari F1 car before qualifying disaster
QUALIFYING REPORT: Oscar Piastri snatches Qatar GP pole after Lando Norris makes late mistake
Saturday 29 November 2025 21:00 , Kieran JacksonLando Norris failed to complete his last lap in qualifying for Sunday’s crucial Qatar Grand Prix to allow F1 championship rival Oscar Piastri to take pole position.
Norris, who will start alongside his McLaren team-mate for the penultimate round of the campaign in Doha, held a slender advantage heading into the decisive concluding laps.
But the British driver made a mistake when he ran wide at the second corner, and was forced to abort, leaving Piastri the chance to usurp him at the top of the order.
Piastri, a winner of the earlier sprint race here, which took him to within 22 points of Norris’ lead with 50 points still to play for, did not waste his opportunity, clinching pole by 0.108 seconds. Max Verstappen starts third to ensure he remains in the title hunt.
Full report below:
Oscar Piastri snatches F1 Qatar GP pole after Lando Norris makes late mistake
What is the start time for the Qatar Grand Prix?
Saturday 29 November 2025 20:10 , Kieran JacksonThe 57-lap race starts at 4pm (GMT).
Lando Norris on P2 in qualifying:
Saturday 29 November 2025 19:40 , Kieran JacksonOn late error: “I got a bit of understeer and was going off so had to abort. Oscar did a great lap, nothing to complain about, still P2 for tomorrow.
“The first couple of laps… there’s always opportunities but after that, it’ll be pretty straightforward.
“Tonight we’ll review some things – we’re in a good position, much happier today than yesterday. It’s a long race tomorrow.”
Oscar Piastri, after clinching pole:
Saturday 29 November 2025 19:28 , Kieran Jackson“Everything felt great all weekend, if it ain’t broke don’t fix it. Q3 was really good on the new [tyres], really happy.
On race: “Pretty tough, with 2 stops as well, we’ll be pushing pretty hard, it’ll be a tough race. It’s an insane amount of G-force around here.”
On title - win or bust? “Pretty much. Try to do more of the same from the sprint - we’ll see what we can do.”
Full Qatar GP starting grid:
Saturday 29 November 2025 19:25 , Kieran Jackson1. Oscar Piastri - McLaren
2. Lando Norris - McLaren
3. Max Verstappen - Red Bull
4. George Russell - Mercedes
5. Kimi Antonelli - Mercedes
6. Isack Hadjar - Racing Bulls
7. Carlos Sainz - Williams
8. Fernando Alonso - Aston Martin
9. Pierre Gasly - Alpine
10. Charles Leclerc - Ferrari
11. Nico Hulkenberg - Sauber
12. Liam Lawson - Racing Bulls
13. Ollie Bearman - Haas
14. Alex Albon - Williams
15. Yuki Tsunoda - Red Bull
16. Esteban Ocon - Haas
17. Lewis Hamilton - Ferrari
18. Lance Stroll - Aston Martin
19. Gabriel Bortoleto* - Sauber
20. Franco Colapinto - Alpine
*Bortoleto has a five-place grid penalty after crashing into Lance Stroll at the last race in Las Vegas
Top-10 in Qatar GP qualifying
Saturday 29 November 2025 19:19 , Kieran Jackson1. Oscar Piastri - McLaren
2. Lando Norris - McLaren
3. Max Verstappen - Red Bull
4. George Russell - Mercedes
5. Kimi Antonelli - Mercedes
6. Isack Hadjar - Racing Bulls
7. Carlos Sainz - Williams
8. Fernando Alonso - Aston Martin
9. Pierre Gasly - Alpine
10. Charles Leclerc - Ferrari
Oscar Piastri:
Saturday 29 November 2025 19:12 , Kieran Jackson“Let’s go baby, good session everyone - that was mega!“
Meanwhile, Lando Norris looks far from happy in the pit-lane...
Oscar Piastri on pole in Qatar!
Saturday 29 November 2025 19:07 , Kieran JacksonWOW! Oscar Piastri gets it done by 0.108 seconds - and Lando Norris screwed up his lap and couldn’t get back round to set another one!
He does get second though.
Verstappen P3; Russell P4. That is a tasty top-three.
5-10: Antonelli, Hadjar, Sain, ALonso, Gasly, Leclerc
Russell out first
Saturday 29 November 2025 19:03 , Kieran JacksonRussell the first driver out on track, followed by Norris - with Piastri and Verstappen much later.
Will we have a late twist?!
Q3 back underway
Saturday 29 November 2025 19:01 , Kieran JacksonBig moments now then - can Norris hold on to pole?!
Or can Piastri and Verstappen find some much-needed time...
5:00 to go in Q3...
FIA statement
Saturday 29 November 2025 18:58 , Kieran Jackson“Q3 will resume at 22:00 local time (19:00 GMT).”
Brief red flag
Saturday 29 November 2025 18:57 , Kieran JacksonDue to a bit of gravel and plastic on track, we have a brief red flag with 5:27 left in Q3.
Nobody expected.
Can Piastri, Russell or Verstappen beat Norris here?!
Lando Norris on provisional pole!
Saturday 29 November 2025 18:56 , Kieran JacksonA barnstormer of a first lap from Lando Norris - he’s quicker than second-placed Oscar Piastri by 0.035 seconds!
And, crucially, George Russell is third ahead of Max Verstappen - and the Red Bull is four-tenths down on Norris.
It’s very much advantage McLaren.
5-10: Hadjar, Antonelli, Alonso, Sainz, Gasly, Leclerc
Meanwhile, Charles Leclerc had a massive double spin - but kept it out of the gravel. However, he did not set a lap.
Q3 underway!
Saturday 29 November 2025 18:48 , Kieran JacksonHere we go then - pivotal 12 minutes in the title race!
Max Verstappen is the first car out of the pit-lane... ready to make a statement.
10 drivers involved: Verstappen, Norris, Piastri, Russell, Antonelli, Leclerc, Sainz, Gasly, Alonso, Hadjar
Positions 11-20:
Saturday 29 November 2025 18:45 , Kieran Jackson11. Nico Hulkenberg
12. Liam Lawson
13. Ollie Bearman
14. Alex Albon
15. Yuki Tsunoda
16. Esteban Ocon
17. Lewis Hamilton
18. Lance Stroll
19. Gabriel Bortoleto*
20. Franco Colapinto
*Bortoleto has a five-place grid penalty after crashing into Lance Stroll at the last race in Las Vegas
Charles Leclerc safe too!
Saturday 29 November 2025 18:43 , Kieran JacksonThe Monegasque escapes in P9!
Bottom-five (11-15) and out in Q2: Hulkenberg, Lawson, Bearman, Bortoleto, Albon
Bortoleto will be down in P19, however, as he has a five place grid penalty from the last race in Las Vegas.
Top-3: Piastri, Norris, Verstappen
Lando Norris gets himself safe!
Saturday 29 November 2025 18:41 , Kieran JacksonNorris up to P2.
A big sigh of relief at McLaren.
Final laps coming in now in Q2...
Norris has to get a lap in!
Saturday 29 November 2025 18:37 , Kieran JacksonSqueaky bum time for Lando Norris with four minutes left in Q2 - he needs to get a lap in!
He’s just coming out on new soft tyres...
Current bottom-five (11-15): Lawson, Albon, Bortoleto, Leclerc, Norris
Piastri storms to P1
Saturday 29 November 2025 18:34 , Kieran JacksonStunning lap from Piastri, who gets to a 1:19 by a mile - a 1:19:650.
On flip side, Lando Norris has his lap time DELETED for exceeding track limits at turn 10.
He’s down in last - he needs to get a lap in.
7:00 to go in Q2...
Max Verstappen quickest early on
Saturday 29 November 2025 18:33 , Kieran JacksonA 1:20142 for Verstappen - can we get a time in the 1:19s?
Around half the pack still to set their times... 10:00 to go in Q2.
Q2 underway
Saturday 29 November 2025 18:27 , Kieran JacksonThe Williams’ of Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz lead the 15 remaining cars out then for Q2 - 15 minutes where we’ll lose the slowest five one more.
Any more shocks before the top-10 shootout?!
FIA STATEMENT:
Saturday 29 November 2025 18:23 , Kieran Jackson“Start of Q2 is delayed by 3 mins to clear gravel on track (T15).”
Lewis Hamilton out in Q1!
Saturday 29 November 2025 18:19 , Kieran JacksonA third straight Q1 elimination for Hamilton - he’s OUT in P18 once more! And short by 0.254 seconds - a fair amount!
Yuki Tsunoda is also out in P16!
Bottom-five (16-20) and out in Q1: Tsunoda, Ocon, Hamilton, Stroll, Colapinto
Top-3: Russell, Norris, Piastri
Yuki Tsunoda in drop-zone
Saturday 29 November 2025 18:16 , Kieran JacksonRed Bull need Yuki right up there - but he needs a lap here!
Current bottom-five (16-20): Lawson, Tsunoda, Ocon, Stroll, Colapinto
2 minutes left in Q1!
Lando Norris up to P1
Saturday 29 November 2025 18:14 , Kieran JacksonSolid lap from Lando - up to P1, 0.077 secs ahead of Piastri in second.
Track is ramping up a lot now!
Current bottom-five (16-20): Lawson, Tsunoda, Ocon, Stroll, Colapinto
Verstappen: “When I’m downshifting, the engine breaks and the car jumps.”
Still safe for now, but unideal for Red Bull’s main man.
4:00 to go in Q1...
Lewis Hamilton goes P6
Saturday 29 November 2025 18:11 , Kieran JacksonThree-tenths off top spot (currently occupied by Hadjar), but safe (for now) in sixth for Hamilton.
Norris P15... but probably has time for two more laps.
Current bottom-five (16-20): Hulkenberg, Albon, Sainz, Ocon, Colapinto
Lewis Hamilton in early danger-zone
Saturday 29 November 2025 18:07 , Kieran JacksonSurely Lewis Hamilton can find some pace after his last few qualifying nightmares?
Not yet. Down in P18 after the first runs. Time to spare though.
Current bottom-five (16-20) Ocon, Stroll, Hamilton, Albon, Colapinto
Norris off the pace too, down in P8.
1100 to go in Q1...
Ollie Bearman quickest early on
Saturday 29 November 2025 18:04 , Kieran JacksonAbout eight runners so far, with Bearman on top.
None of the frontrunners rushing out though...
1400 to go in Q1.
Q1 underway
Saturday 29 November 2025 17:59 , Kieran JacksonBig queue at the end of the pit-lane as we get underway with qualifying in Qatar!
The usual reminder: 18 minutes for Q1, where we’ll lose the slowest five cars from the rest of qualifying.
Norris - leader; Piastri +22; Verstappen +25
Saturday 29 November 2025 17:58 , Kieran Jackson Qatar GP qualifying
Saturday 29 November 2025 17:54 , Kieran JacksonThis could be the clincher in the F1 world championship!
It’s tough to overtake around the Lusail circuit, placing even more emphasis on qualifying this evening.
Oscar Piastri has the monentum this weekend but can McLaren teammate Lando Norris respond? And what about Max Verstappen - does he have one last throw of the dice?
Qualifying coming right up!
When can Lando Norris win the 2025 F1 world championship?
Saturday 29 November 2025 17:47 , Kieran JacksonPiastri won the sprint, closing the gap to 22 points, but Verstappen is now 25 points off Norris.
Therefore, the earliest Norris can win the title is still the Grand Prix in Qatar on Sunday 30 November. Norris will be crowned champion if he outscores Piastri by four points, and finishes ahead of Verstappen in any position, in Sunday's main event.
A points advantage of more than 25 points by the end of the Qatar Grand Prix would see him win the title with one race to spare.
Lewis Hamilton at the end of the sprint race:
Saturday 29 November 2025 17:42 , Kieran Jackson"Man, don't know how we've made the car worse."
He finished 17th.
Norris on Verstappen saying he'd have won the title already in a McLaren
Saturday 29 November 2025 17:22 , Kieran Jackson“Max generally has a good clue about a lot of things, but there is also a lot of things he doesn’t have much of a clue about.
“But it is also Red Bull’s way of going about things, an aggressive nature and just talking nonsense a lot of the time.”
Strong words!
Top-eight in Qatar GP sprint
Saturday 29 November 2025 14:40 , Kieran Jackson1. Oscar Piastri - McLaren (8 points)
2. George Russell - Mercedes (7 points)
3. Lando Norris - McLaren (6 points)
4. Max Verstappen - Red Bull (5 points)
5. Yuki Tsunoda - Red Bull (4 points)
6. Kimi Antonelli - Mercedes (3 points)
7. Fernando Alonso - Aston Martin (2 points)
8. Carlos Sainz - Williams (1 point)