McLaren lock out front row as Verstappen closes in on title in Qatar Sprint Shootout

McLaren duo Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris made amends for a poor Friday by taking pole and second position in the Qatar Sprint Shootout.

Max Verstappen also took a huge stride towards clinching his third consecutive world championship in Qatar by taking third in the Sprint Shootout.

Newly introduced tyre regulations and an additional practice session dominated the early Saturday headlines, with a 10-minute familiarisation practice session introduced to Saturday's schedule following safety-related track modifications.

However, the evening is set to be all about Verstappen and his mission to secure the title.

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Verstappen knows that he only needs three points from this evening’s Sprint race to put the cherry on top of what has been an exceptional season for him and Red Bull, and barring any disasters, that now looks increasingly likely.

Behind Piastri and Norris in the Shootout were Verstappen, followed by Mercedes' George Russell and Ferrari's Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc.

READ MORE: F1 Sprint Shootout Results: Qatar Grand Prix 2023 times as Verstappen misses out on pole for sprint race

McLaren fight back

With Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri having their highly competitive qualifying laps deleted on Friday, the McLaren duo were in a defiant mood as they sought to make amends.

And that they did, both looking quick and securing a locked-out front row for McLaren. Following the session, Norris admitted that he was disappointed not to have beaten his team-mate's 1:24.454s and will undoubtedly look to claim victory in the race.

Max Verstappen took third but only needs to finish sixth or higher in the race to win his third drivers title" src="https://sportsbase.io/images/gpfans/copy_620x348/b0b69f3ed1db37c9ea64795e9732c3fc69737c79.jpg">

Verstappen closes in on title

Verstappen has won two of the previous three Sprint races this season and has put himself in a commanding position to do the same in Qatar.

His focus will turn to winning the Sprint races later this evening, knowing a P6 finish or higher will land him his third consecutive Drivers World Championship.

Verstappen's under-fire Red Bull team-mate Sergio Perez will start the Sprint from P8.

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Hamilton knocked out in SQ2

Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton's struggles in Qatar continued as, having described his Friday qualifying session as 'average', he was knocked out in the second Sprint Shootout.

He would have qualified for SQ3 had he not been penalised for exceeding track limits - which a number of drivers have been punished by stewards for already this weekend.

As a result, he is set to start the Sprint race from 12th.

F1 Sprint Shootout Results: Qatar Grand Prix 2023

1. Oscar Piastri (McLaren): 1:24.454s

2. Lando Norris (McLaren)

3. Max Verstappen (Red Bull)

4. George Russell (Mercedes)

5. Carlos Sainz (Ferrari)

6. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)

7. Nico Hulkenberg (Haas)

8. Sergio Perez (Red Bull)

9. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin)

10. Esteban Ocon (Alpine)

ELIMINATED IN SQ2

11. Pierre Gasly (Alpine)

12. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)

13. Valtteri Bottas (Alfa Romeo)

14. Liam Lawson (AlphaTauri)

15. Zhou Guanyu (Alfa Romeo)

ELIMINATED IN SQ1

16. Lance Stroll (Aston Martin)

17. Alex Albon (Williams)

18. Yuki Tsunoda (AlphaTauri)

19. Kevin Magnussen (Haas)

20. Logan Sargeant (Williams)

READ MORE: F1 Qatar Grand Prix weather forecast