Piastri was a good tenth of a second faster than teammate and World Cup leader Lando Norris, who failed to improve in the final phase of qualifying. Verstappen followed at more than 2.5 tenths of Piastri’s time and was narrowly ahead of George Russell (Mercedes).
Verstappen’s deficit to World Cup leader Norris is 25 points. If he finishes behind the Briton on Sunday, he will be eliminated from the title race anyway. Norris will certainly have won his first championship with a victory in Doha.
Next soft for Lewis Hamilton and Yuki Tsunoda
Verstappen set the fourth fastest time in Q1, behind Russell, Piastri and the fastest man Norris. On a positive note, the Dutchman said the car’s balance felt better than earlier in the weekend, although he still reported downshifting issues.
For Lewis Hamilton, qualifying turned into yet another slump at Ferrari. Just like during the sprint qualifying, he was among the five slowest drivers. The seven-time champion recorded the eighteenth fastest time. Verstappen’s teammate Yuki Tsunoda – faster than the Dutchman for the first time on Friday – also fell far back and did not get further than sixteenth.
Title battle in Formula 1 with three more contenders: Max Verstappen can still become world champion
Verstappen also did not encounter any problems in Q2 and set the third fastest time, behind the McLarens. Norris’ first time was reduced due to exceeding the track limit, meaning he had to go to the final lap. However, the Briton made no mistake then. The curtain fell for Nico Hulkenberg, Liam Lawson, Oliver Bearman, Gabriel Bortoleto and Alex Albon.
Lando Norris sneers at Max Verstappen and Red Bull: ‘They often talk nonsense’
Just like earlier in qualifying, Red Bull opted for a different tactic in the first phase in Q3, as Verstappen drove not one but two slow laps before he really started. The Dutchman could not pose a threat to both McLaren drivers. After the first run he was also slower than Russell.
Norris quickly broke off his last lap and was unable to improve. Piastri gratefully took advantage of this and finished more than a tenth under his teammate’s time and took pole, ahead of Norris, Verstappen (who still improved) and Russell.