Qatar Grand Prix 2025 Highlights, F1 Sprint: Piastri Powers To Victory Over Russell And Norris

Hello and vroooom! The Qatar Grand Prix 2025 is roaring into action at Losail Circuit, and the Sprint qualifying session yesterday has already shaken up the grid. Stay tuned for live lap-by-lap updates.

Oscar Piastri grabbed pole position with George Russell and Lando Norris finishing 2nd and 3rd. Surprisingly, Max Verstappen finished 6th behind teammate Yuki Tsunoda. Check the starting positions for Sprint.

Due to his performance in Sprint qualifier yesterday, Lewis Hamilton has opted for a pit lane start, following some changes to his set-up. He will be joined by Lance Stroll and both Alpine cars. Only 16 cars will be there on the grid for lights out today

They're away! Piastri blasts off the line and heads for Turn 1 on a clear grid. With a short DRS zone making subsequent overtakes tricky, the consensus among the field is that the start is their make-or-break chance in this Sprint.

Even with temperatures down from previous seasons, Verstappen cannot tolerate the turbulent air behind Norris any longer; he sits 1.3 seconds adrift in the fight for P3. Elsewhere, Antonelli contemplates a move on Alonso, and Leclerc is glued right to the back of Bearman.

All eyes are on Max Verstappen as the reigning champion hunts down the pole sitter Oscar Piastri, who is still leading the race, but the gap appears to be quickly diminishing. George Russell is running in second and also collided with championship leader, Lando Norris. 14 more laps to go at Lusail International Circuit.

Half-way through in Lusail. Piastri continues to lead the Sprint from Russell, with a gap of nearly two seconds. Norris is further behind, while Verstappen has dropped, but ahead of teammate Yuki Tsunoda.

Lando Norris leads the Drivers' Championship by 24 points from Oscar Piastri and four-time defending champion Max Verstappen, with the penultimate race of the F1 2025 season scheduled tomorrow. The season finale will be in Abu Dhabi from December 5 to 7.

A five-second time penalty for Tsunoda, and running at fifth. The top four is unchanged: Piastri leads from Russell, Norris and Verstappen with three laps to go.

Here is Piastri starting his second-to-last lap, commanding the race with a 2.6s margin over Russell, who is keeping 1.8s between himself and Norris. A perfect performance from Piastri so far. He's been asked to lead from the front and hasn't put a wheel wrong, completing his duties regardless of his teammate's fortunes.

Lap 19/19 and Alpine throw a little curveball as both cars dive in, Gasly and Colapinto bolt on the softs, basically turning the final lap into their own private Qualifying session. Why not? If you’ve got the tyres, flex a little.

Up ahead, Antonelli gives everyone a mini heart attack with another deleted lap time, but wait, it’s reinstated. That’s pure luck wrapped in FIA generosity. He’ll breathe again now.

Meanwhile Piastri is out front, staring down the final half-lap like it’s the last big exhale of the session. One clean sweep to the flag and it’s his.

Oscar Piastri bossed the Qatar Sprint from lights out to chequered flag, shrugging off late tyre drop-off to finish well clear of George Russell and teammate Lando Norris.

Max Verstappen salvaged fourth after a porpoising-plagued run, while Kimi Antonelli’s post-race penalty bumped him behind Yuki Tsunoda in sixth. Alonso and Sainz picked up the final points in a Sprint all about tyre care and keeping it tidy.

That’s a wrap for now! We’ll be back with more live action soon. Qualifying kicks off at 11:30 p.m. IST, so stay tuned for all the high-speed drama.