F1 News: Norris wins close battle for 2025 Qatar Sprint pole

On a track where handling is king, Lando Norris driving the superior #4 McLaren turned a lap of 1m21.012s to win pole position for the 2024 Qatar Sprint race on the Lusail International Circuit

–by Mark Cipolloni–

“It’s tough, it’s so quick around here. It feels like the quickest circuit of the year,” said Norris.

“The final sector, you are just hanging on. Great qualifying today, great to bounce back from where we were in Vegas.

“We were coming here to get pole so job done today.”

George Russell came closest to Norris in the #63 Mercedes, 0.063s behind.

Oscar Piastri put the other McLaren in third, 0.159s behind teammate Norris, but more importantly, both McLarens are ahead of both Ferraris as they battle for the Constructors’ Championship.

Carlos Sainz Jr. once again beat his Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc to take 4th, 0.269s behind Norris. Leclerc rounded out the top-5, 0.296s behind Norris.

Max Verstappen was 6th in the inferior Red Bull, 0.303s behind Norris and just ahead of the Mercedes of Lewis Hamilton. How inferior is the Red Bull?  Sergio Perez in the 2nd Red Bull could not even make it out of SQ1.

McLaren are starting first and third for tomorrow’s 19-lap Sprint, with Russell in the middle of that papaya sandwich.

Norris is in the best possible position, and he will be aiming to do what his team mate managed last season – win from pole.

2024 Qatar Sprint Race Qualifying Results