Oscar Piastri pipped McLaren team-mate Lando Norris in the only practice session at the Qatar Grand Prix with Max Verstappen only sixth.
Just five days after being disqualified from the Las Vegas Grand Prix, McLaren have started the Sprint weekend in Qatar with a one-two ahead of Sprint Qualifying later on Friday at 5.30pm, live on Sky Sports F1, and only 0.058s split Piastri and Norris.
Norris, who leads the Drivers’ Championship by 24 points from Piastri and Verstappen with two rounds to go, will seal the title on Sunday if he is at least 26 points ahead in the standings.
It means, barring a poor result in Saturday’s Sprint at 2pm, victory in the Grand Prix on Sunday would guarantee he becomes the 11th British F1 world champion.
Verstappen was unhappy with the drivability of his car throughout the hour-long practice, at one point stating the RB21 was “jumping” when changing gears, but will hope to turn things around for the remainder of the Qatar weekend, where he won last year.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Craig Slater explains how Lando Norris could claim his maiden F1 world title at the Qatar Grand Prix
“Red Bull have work to do, I think,” said Sky Sports F1‘s Bernie Collins.
“Verstappen often complains in P1 about shifts in the car and Red Bull are generally very good at reacting to that and getting the car back out in a better position.”
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Max Verstappen says he plans to go ‘all in’ with a bid for the Drivers’ Championship title fight and reflects on McLaren’s double disqualification in Vegas
The McLarens were only dominant on the soft tyres as Norris and Piastri showed little pace on the hards. However, they are seemingly favourites if their one-lap speed is anything to go by as Piastri went quicker on his second push lap.
Norris was initially 0.369s faster than his team-mate before a tidier lap from the Australian put him ahead and Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso in third.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Lando Norris says the double McLaren DSQ in Vegas ‘doesn’t change anything’ as he eyes up winning the title in Qatar
Williams’ Carlos Sainz was fourth, with Racing Bulls’ Isack Hadjar, who is expected to be confirmed as Verstappen’s new Red Bull team-mate in 2026, in fifth.
Further behind, Ferrari are set for another tough weekend as Charles Leclerc was only eighth and Lewis Hamilton 12th, while Mercedes were also off the pace with Kimi Antonelli in 10th and George Russell in 14th.
Sky Sports F1’s Qatar GP schedule
Friday November 28
4.05pm: F2 Qualifying*
4.50pm: Qatar GP Sprint Qualifying (session starts at 5.30pm)*
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Look back at some of the most dramatic moments to have taken place at the Qatar Grand Prix
Saturday November 29
1pm: Qatar GP Sprint build-up*
2pm: QATAR GP SPRINT*
3.30pm: Ted’s Sprint Notebook*
4.15pm: F2 Sprint
5.15pm: Qatar GP Qualifying build-up
6pm: QATAR GP QUALIFYING
8pm: Ted’s Qualifying Notebook
Sunday November 30
11.55am: F2 Feature
2.30pm: Grand Prix Sunday: Qatar GP build-up
4pm: THE QATAR GRAND PRIX
6pm: Chequered Flag: Qatar GP reaction
7pm: Ted’s Notebook
*also on Sky Sports Main Event
Formula 1’s season-ending triple header continues with the Qatar Grand Prix Sprint weekend live on Sky Sports F1 from Friday. Stream Sky Sports with NOW – no contract, cancel anytime