Qatar GP Sprint: Oscar Piastri Narrows Lando Norris’ Championship Lead with Convincing Victory Over George Russell as Max Verstappen Takes Fourth
Oscar Piastri showcased exceptional skill in the Qatar Grand Prix Sprint, clinching a decisive victory that narrowed the gap to championship leader Lando Norris to just 22 points. Piastri, who started from pole position, commanded the 19-lap race, finishing ahead of George Russell.
Lando Norris successfully defended his position against an early aggressive push from Max Verstappen, who started from sixth place. Norris now holds a 25-point lead over Verstappen, as the championship battle intensifies with only two races remaining, including Sunday’s Qatar Grand Prix and the final race in Abu Dhabi on December 7.
Championship Standings Before the Final Races
| Driver | Team | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Lando Norris | McLaren | 396 |
| Oscar Piastri | McLaren | 374 |
| Max Verstappen | Red Bull | 371 |
Norris can secure the championship by finishing ahead of Piastri and Verstappen in Qatar, needing to maintain at least a 26-point gap after the race. Piastri expressed satisfaction with his performance, stating, “It’s been a good weekend so far. Everything went smoothly in the Sprint, so I’m happy with how it’s been so far and just need to keep it rolling.”
Qatar GP Sprint Race Results
- 1) Oscar Piastri, McLaren
- 2) George Russell, Mercedes
- 3) Lando Norris, McLaren
- 4) Max Verstappen, Red Bull
- 5) Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull
- 6) Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
- 7) Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin
- 8) Carlos Sainz, Williams
Yuki Tsunoda achieved his best result of the season despite receiving a five-second time penalty for exceeding track limits. Kimi Antonelli also managed to finish seventh but incurred a similar penalty. Fernando Alonso placed seventh, while Carlos Sainz rounded out the points-paying positions in eighth.
Ferrari faced challenges during the Sprint, with Charles Leclerc finishing in 13th and Lewis Hamilton, who expressed his displeasure, concluding in 17th place after starting from the pit lane.
Upcoming Races in the Championship
The excitement continues with the Qatar Grand Prix happening Sunday at 4 PM, followed by the season finale at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on December 7. The championship remains wide open as the drivers strive for top performance.
