Formula 1: Articles & News Reports.

**Fortitude** · Yesterday, 18:30

Oscar Piastri snatches F1 Sprint pole for Qatar GP as Max Verstappen struggles.
Oscar Piastri will start the 2025 Qatar Grand Prix F1 Sprint race on pole position, with the McLaren joined on the front row by George Russell in his Mercedes.
28 November 2025
Euan Burns
Total Motorsport

Lando Norris had a compromised final flying lap in SQ3 which meant he could only achieve P3, whilst Max Verstappen‘s misbehaving Red Bull will start Saturday’s Sprint from P6. There was more misery for Ferrari, with Charles Leclerc qualifying in P9 and Lewis Hamilton all the way down in P18.

Piastri put himself on provisional pole after his first lap, as he was 0.044 seconds quicker than Norris. It seemed inevitable that a McLaren would be on pole for the Sprint, unless Verstappen could produce something on his next attempt. His final lap was only good enough to go to P4, and Tsunoda then went up to P4, pushing Verstappen further down.

“It’s been a good day, which is nice for a change. It has been a day where things have clicked from the start. I’m happy with the result, a few things to tidy up but it is nice to be able to say that starting from pole,” Piastri said after the session. “It is only the Sprint, but I’ll take what I can get. The pace was there all day, hopefully we can keep that going.”

‘Oscar Piastri snatches F1 Sprint pole’;

https://www.total-motorsport.com/osc...pen-struggles/

Qatar GP: Sprint Qualifying Results
Full results from Sprint Qualifying for the Formula 1 Qatar Grand Prix.
29 Nov 2025
Ben Waterworth
Speedcafe

Pos. No. Driver Team Q1 Q2 Q3 Laps
1 81 Oscar Piastri McLaren 1:21.286 1:21.005 1:20.055 18
2 63 George Russell Mercedes 1:21.432 1:21.136 1:20.087 19
3 4 Lando Norris McLaren 1:21.398 1:20.956 1:20.285 18
4 14 Fernando Alonso Aston Martin 1:21.276 1:21.272 1:20.450 18
5 22 Yuki Tsunoda Red Bull Racing 1:21.458 1:21.152 1:20.519 20
6 1 Max Verstappen Red Bull Racing 1:21.172 1:21.036 1:20.528 20
7 12 Kimi Antonelli Mercedes 1:21.555 1:21.376 1:20.532 18
8 55 Carlos Sainz Williams 1:21.438 1:21.172 1:20.542 20
9 16 Charles Leclerc Ferrari 1:21.636 1:21.190 1:20.622 20
10 23 Alexander Albon Williams 1:21.721 1:21.212 1:20.788 20

‘Sprint Qualifying’;

https://speedcafe.com/f1-news-2025-q...fying-results/

Oscar Piastri fires 'nice to be back' warning after stealing Qatar Sprint pole
Oscar Piastri claimed pole position for the Qatar GP Sprint - his first in any format since the Dutch Grand Prix.
28 November 2025
Jake Nichol
RacingNews365

"It was a good day, which is nice for a change, and it has been a day where things have clicked, from the start," Piastri explained. "The Sprint quali session went really well, and I had a pretty big moment on my lap, but it was just enough in the end. The car has been really good this weekend, so I'm pretty happy.”

"I think if you hook it up, there was a 1:19 in there, but I'm just happy with the result. There are obviously a few things to try and tidy up, but it is nice to be able to say that when you are starting on pole. It's only Sprint pole and for a few points, but I will take whatever I can get.”

"Sprint weekends are always really tough to know if you are fully on top of things from when you roll on the track, but the car was really good all day. We made some good adjustments in qualifying, which was nice, and the pace was there all day, so hopefully, we can keep that running."

'Nice to be back';

https://racingnews365.com/oscar-pias...ar-sprint-pole

Qatar GP: Piastri’s championship revival continues with Sprint quali pole
28 Nov 2025
Michelle Foster
PlanetF1.com

Oscar Piastri’s comeback in the championship race in Qatar continued in the Sprint qualifying as he clinched pole position for the eight-point short race ahead of George Russell. Championship leader Lando Norris was third with Max Verstappen only P6, beaten by Yuki Tsunoda.

The all-important pole position began on a sour note for Verstappen as he complained about the handling of his RB21 as he went flying off the track. Swearing as he went wide, he ranted that the car was “bouncing like a ***** idiot.” Piastri went fastest with a 1:20.2, 0.044s ahead of Norris with Russell three-tenths down on the McLaren teammates. Verstappen went on to explain that “Turn 2 and Turn 4”, he couldn’t control the car. His race engineer GP told him not to give up track position.

Heading into the final two minutes, Piastri lead Norris and Russell with Verstappen down in 10th place. Verstappen improved to P4 but dropped as Yuki Tsunoda went third, and then Fernando Alonso. The front row had yet to be decided. Russell went quickest overall, but then came Piastri with a 1:20.0 took Sprint pole ahead of the Mercedes driver. Norris was third ahead of Alonso, Tsunoda and Verstappen. Antonelli, Carlos Sainz, Charles Leclerc and Albon completed the top ten.

“Bouncing like a ***** idiot”;

https://www.planetf1.com/news/qatar-...lifying-report

Lewis Hamilton’s unbroadcast radio after Qatar Grand Prix SQ1 exit makes for painful listening
28 November 2025
David Comerford
F1 Oversteer

The ‘silence’ was deafening from Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari engineer. Hamilton’s 1:22.043 was only faster than the two Alpine cars, who have only combined for 22 points all season. While Charles Leclerc was only 13th in the corresponding session, the gap between the two Ferrari drivers was still over four-tenths of a second.

After crossing the line with his final effort in SQ1, which left him a precarious 15th, Hamilton complained that ‘the car won’t go any quicker’. That message was played out on the F1 world feed, but what wasn’t broadcast was his exchange with Riccardo Adami afterwards. “Assume by your silence that I’m out?” Hamilton asked Adami. “P18,” the engineer replied.

The radio messages, which are indicative of the low morale on his side of the garage, make for painful listening for Hamilton fans. Hamilton said it was the ‘same as always’ when he reflected on his lack of pace in the media pen afterwards. When asked whether the higher-downforce rear wing he fitted for the session made any difference, he replied: “No, clearly not.” And a sardonic Hamilton could only think of one positive that he could take into Saturday: “The weather’s nice.”

“P18”;

https://www.f1oversteer.com/news/lew...ful-listening/

**Fortitude** · Today, 10:30

The damning image which further fuels rumours McLaren is AGAINST Australian F1 star Oscar Piastri.
'McLaren's garage was so sad when Piastri got pole....you'd think they were attending a memorial service'. F1 fan to reacting with one posting on X.
29 November 2025
ANDREW PRENTICE
MailOnline

Damning vision circulating online has only enhanced speculation that McLaren's pit crew are desperate for Lando Norris to be the next F1 world champion. The significant problem, among accusations of favouritism, is that Aussie Oscar Piastri happens to drive for the same team. Eyebrows were raised when Piastri, 24, secured pole for Sunday morning's AEDT Qatar Grand Prix sprint race.

Norris - the current championship leader - finished third behind Mercedes driver George Russell. And as F1 broadcaster Sky Sports panned to the McLaren engineers, their forlorn faces told the story. 'The lack of clapping from the McLaren garage (for Piastri) wasn't nice to see'. F1 fan to reacting with one posting on X. Speaking post-race, Piastri was elated at the result. 'It's been a good day, which is nice for a change,' he said. 'Things clicked from the start, so thanks to the team. It is only the sprint, but I'll take what I can get. The pace was there all day, and hopefully we can keep that going.'

Piastri also admitted McLaren had raised the possibility of giving 26-year-old Norris priority this weekend to avoid the possibility of Red Bull star Max Verstappen stealing the championship. However, the Aussie confirmed the suggestion was quickly shut down. 'We've had a very brief discussion on it....and the answer is no,' he said.

‘Damning image’;

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/fo...r-Piastri.html

He’s BACK! Piastri Takes Sprint Pole by 0.032s | Qatar GP | Formula 1.

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/CPYv9r-KGHg

Karun Chandhok saw how Mark Webber reacted to Oscar Piastri taking Qatar Sprint pole
28 November 2025
David Comerford
F1 Oversteer

Karun Chandhok says Mark Webber let out a ‘massive whoop’ after Oscar Piastri’s Sprint pole. Piastri hasn’t taken pole, in any format, since the Dutch GP just after the summer break. That was also his most recent pole position.

In fact, he’s only been in the top three in one of the last 11 competitive sessions, having lost form in a crucial phase of the season. In that context, one can understand why manager Mark Webber was thrilled after Friday’s session, even though it’s only a Sprint qualifying session. Webber was watching the session alongside Piastri’s father.

Your dad and Mark Webber were watching, not far from where we are,” Karun Chandhok told Piastri on Sky after the session. “It was a massive whoop! I can tell you they were very happy with qualifying.” Andrea Stella says Piastri hasn’t ‘elevated his game’ like Norris or Verstappen, but there was optimism that the last two tracks on the calendar would be better suited to his driving style.

“It was a massive whoop!”

https://www.f1oversteer.com/news/kar...r-sprint-pole/

'Nice to be back' – Piastri reflects on Qatar Sprint pole as he looks for title fightback
28 Nov 2025
Formula One - Official Site

Oscar Piastri took a vital pole for Saturday's Sprint, with McLaren team mate and title rival Lando Norris starting P3. Oscar Piastri admitted it was "nice to be back" before adding "I’m just happy with the result" having taken pole for the Qatar Sprint, slightly shifting momentum away from McLaren team mate Lando Norris in their title fight.

"It’s been a good day, which is nice for a change," said Piastri after hopping out of the car. "It’s been a day where things have clicked from the start and I think the Sprint Qualifying session went really well. I had a pretty big moment on my lap but it was just enough in the end so thanks to the team – it’s a great car and it’s looked really good this weekend so far. I’m pretty happy with that.”

"I think if you hook it up, there’s a 1m 19s in there. We’ll see what we can do, but at the moment I’m just happy with the result. There are obviously a few things to try and tidy up but it’s nice to be able to say that when you’re starting on pole. I’m looking forward to tomorrow. Obviously it’s only a Sprint pole and for a few points but I’ll take whatever I can get."

'Nice to be back';

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...FJej8qSim5PYd6

‘Clicked from the start’: Oscar Piastri makes Qatar qualifying statement to keep title bid alive
November 29th, 2025 3:30 pm
AFP with Fox Sports from Afp
Fox Sports (Australia)

Oscar Piastri confirmed his return to form to keep alive his title bid by claiming pole position on Saturday (AEDT) for Sunday’s sprint race at the Qatar Grand Prix. The Australian, who is 24 points behind McLaren teammate Norris in the drivers’ championship, clocked a best time of one minute and 20.055 seconds to outpace George Russell of Mercedes by 0.032 seconds.

In a closely fought sprint qualifying session, series leader Norris was third fastest, two-tenths adrift, ahead of Fernando Alonso of Aston Martin and the two Red Bulls led by Yuki Tsunoda in fifth. “A good day for a change!” said Piastri, who has not won a race since the Dutch Grand Prix at the end of August. “Things clicked from the start and qualifying went well and I had just enough in the end. I’m happy with that result but there are a few things to tidy up and it’s nice to say than when you’re starting on pole.”

‘Clicked from the start’;

https://www.foxsports.com.au/motorsp...cbde9386855c6f

Qatar GP: Oscar Piastri reviews his Sprint pole lap
28 November 2025
Sky Sports

‘Sprint pole lap review’;

https://www.skysports.com/f1/video/1...print-pole-lap

Piastri reveals mistake that almost cost him Qatar GP Sprint pole
28 Nov 2025
Kada Sarkozi
GPblog.com

Talking to Sky Sports, the Australian said his lap was far from perfect. He explained: "It almost went horribly wrong at Turn 4! Turning left in a right-hand corner is never a good thing. I lost two tenths. At that point I thought that lap was over, but I kept pushing and was able to find some more time."

“Turn 4!”;

https://www.gpblog.com/en/news/piast...gp-sprint-pole

**Fortitude** · Today, 15:33

Piastri wins sprint race at Qatar GP to close gap on F1 leader Norris to 22 points.
Heading into Sunday's penultimate race of the season, Norris had 396 points, Piastri 374 and Verstappen 371.
29 November 2025
ASSOCIATED PRESS
MailOnline

Oscar Piastri won the Qatar Grand Prix sprint race from pole position Saturday to move 22 points behind McLaren teammate Lando Norris heading into Sunday's main Formula 1 race. "Yeah, car was good," Piastri said. "Let's keep it going."

Piastri has not won since the final day of August at the Dutch GP and the 24-year-old Australian has no podiums in the past six F1 races, excluding Saturday's sprint.

Race strategy in Qatar will be harder to impose given that teams have two mandatory pit stops, a measure imposed on safety grounds due to a high risk of tire degradation at the 5.4-kilometer (3.3-mile) Lusail International Circuit.

‘Piastri wins sprint race’;

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/ap...22-points.html

2025 Qatar GP – F1 Sprint Race Results
Piastri’s Sprint win tightens the McLaren title battle as Verstappen struggles to keep pace
29 November 2025
John Smith
Total Motorsport

F1 Qatar GP 2025 Sprint Race results
Check out the full Qatar GP 2025 Sprint Race results from Lusail below.
Pos Driver Team Time
1 Oscar Piastri McLaren Leader
2 George Russell Mercedes +4.951
3 Lando Norris McLaren +6.279
4 Max Verstappen Red Bull +9.054
5 Yuki Tsunoda Red Bull +19.327
6 Kimi Antonelli Mercedes +21.391
7 Fernando Alonso Aston Martin +24.556
8 Carlos Sainz Williams +27.333
9 Isack Hadjar Racing Bulls +28.206
10 Alexander Albon Williams +28.925

‘Sprint Race results’;

https://www.total-motorsport.com/202...-race-results/

Oscar Piastri reveals late tyre scare en route to F1 Qatar GP Sprint victory
29 November 2025
Jack Oliver Smith
Motorsport Week

After the race, Oscar Piastri revealed that he was feeling issues with his rubber, which triggered some anxious moments in the cockpit before the chequered flag fell. “Yeah, like five or six laps to the end, I think it was front left was starting to vibrate a bit and I hadn’t locked up or anything,” he explained to media including Motorsport Week.

“So it’s never a great sign when you start getting vibrations out of nowhere. So I think it was a similar thing for other people as well. So yeah, we’ll see if there’s any concerns with that. But that was pretty much the only concern.” Oscar Piastri spoke of his relief that it was nice to feel out in front again.

“Yeah, it was nice,” he said. “It was nice to have some clean air again, it makes a pretty big difference. Yeah, just nice to get off to a smooth start to the weekend really. Yeah, the car’s been good so far and I feel like I’ve been able to gel with it pretty good. So yeah, obviously the kind of short part of the weekend’s over and now the real stuff begins.”

‘Late tyre scare’;

https://www.motorsportweek.com/2025/...print-victory/

Piastri upbeat after commanding Sprint win
Oscar Piastri said his return to winning form in Qatar has so far come down to a smooth weekend and a circuit that played perfectly to his strengths.
30 Nov 2025
Ben Waterworth
Speedcafe

The McLaren driver led all 19 laps in the Sprint from pole to claim his third career Sprint victory at the venue, finishing comfortably ahead of George Russell and Lando Norris as the title fight tightened heading into qualifying. Piastri said the performance was the product of a trouble-free run and a layout that immediately suited him after several frustrating weekends. “It’s been a good weekend so far,” he explained. “I think everything went smoothly in the Sprint there. So, yeah, happy with how it’s been so far. I just need to keep it rolling.”

“It’s obviously a very different circuit to where we have been. Much higher speed. Much higher grip,” he added. “I think in the last couple of weekends has just been things going wrong rather than being a lack of pace.” Piastri noted that while gains would be limited ahead of the grand prix, the team’s baseline remained encouraging. “Ideally if we can find more pace, I think you know, everyone slowly finds a little bit more through Sprint weekends,” he said. “But I think our base performance seems very strong around here, so it’s more just tuning rather than trying to reinvent the wheel.”

‘Piastri upbeat’;

https://speedcafe.com/f1-news-2025-o...alifying-form/

Max fourth in sprint race Qatar: 'Car is bouncing everywhere'
29 November 2025
Florence Cobben
Verstappen.nl

Max Verstappen has come fourth in the sprint race of the Qatar Grand Prix. “It’s been difficult so far. The start was of course good and I think in the first three laps I just pushed a bit more compared to the guys ahead of the track, looking for an opportunity, knowing that passing was tough. But after that, yeah, you just get into the same trouble. The more the tyres wear, the more you feel those kind of issues, and that basically is what prevented us from really following them. I was basically doing my own race out there. We need to work on that, get rid of the bouncing, jumping, get rid of the oversteer in general. That’s still a big problem.”

Elaborating on the bouncing problem, Max shares: “My car is bouncing everywhere, something I had yesterday already. In the race you go through the turns a bit slower, so the bouncing is a bit less aggressive, but even in the slower turns under braking I am bouncing. You can’t attack a corner consistently. That’s just annoying.”

'Car is bouncing everywhere';

https://news.verstappen.com/en/article/6032/

Hamilton slams Ferrari with stark team radio after Qatar GP sprint race
29 Nov 2025
Tobia Elia
GPblog.com

Another forgettable race for Lewis Hamilton, who finished the Qatar Sprint in just seventeenth place. The seven-time world champion, speaking over the radio at the end of the race, summed it up with an eloquent: “I don’t know how we made the car worse,” once again highlighting his lack of feel with the SF25, an issue he’s battled almost all season.

The Englishman had started from the pit lane, opting for a setup change in an attempt to try something different in the race — a gamble that clearly didn’t pay off, as his final result shows.
Things didn’t go much better for his teammate either, with Leclerc finishing just thirteenth, stuck behind Oliver Bearman’s Haas for the entire race.

“I don’t know how we made the car worse”;

https://www.gpblog.com/en/news/hamil...gp-sprint-race