DOHA: Oscar Piastri took pole position for the Qatar Grand Prix with a superb lap to push McLaren teammate and Formula 1 title rival Lando Norris down to second on the grid for Sunday’s race. Championship leader Norris leads Piastri by 22 points and defending champion Max Verstappen of Red Bull by 25. A victory for Norris on Sunday guarantees a first F1 title. He needs to finish four points ahead of Piastri and one point ahead of Verstappen, who is chasing a fifth straight F1 crown.

McLaren's Oscar Piastri outpaces title rival and team-mate Lando Norris in practice at the Qatar Grand Prix.

Lando Norris qualifies only third for the sprint race at the Qatar Grand Prix on the weekend the McLaren driver could clinch the world title for the first time.