Oscar Piastri claimed his first Formula 1 pole since August as he clinched the fastest time in Qatar Grand Prix qualifying, pouncing on Lando Norris' mistake as the championship leader couldn't improve on his final lap.
The McLarens laid down a significantly weighty gauntlet at the start of Q3, as Norris opened the final stage with a 1m19.495s, which shaded Piastri's 1m19.530s opener. This put the orange cars around three tenths clear of George Russell after the first efforts, demonstrating their pace difference.
