Image: from Speed City Broadcasting X@Speedcaster
By Lucas Reid | Staff Writer with Agencies
Oscar Piastri delivered a commanding performance in Lusail as he led every lap and won the Sprint race of the Qatar Grand Prix. The McLaren driver started from pole position and never gave up control of the race, finishing with a comfortable advantage over George Russell and Lando Norris.
The evening in Qatar brought warm conditions. Air temperatures were around twenty-five degrees Celsius, and the track surface reached thirty-two degrees. Four drivers began the event from the pit lane due to changes made before the start. These included Lewis Hamilton, Lance Stroll, Pierre Gasly, and Franco Colapinto. Max Verstappen also completed work on the floor of his car without altering regulated components.
"and a hattrick victories of his own is qatar and a third win of a sprint for oscar piastri the championship leader for 15 rounds, the championship challenger now takes maximum points in the sprint" pic.twitter.com/jqpFkpNdT2
— nina (@81oscunt) November 29, 2025
When the lights went out, Piastri held the lead while Norris attempted an early move on Russell. The British driver placed his McLaren alongside the Mercedes but remained in third place. Verstappen immediately gained ground. The Red Bull driver climbed from sixth to fourth and began to pressure Norris, although he repeatedly complained about the behaviour of his car.
Piastri built a steady rhythm at the front. Russell followed at a short distance, then Norris, Verstappen, and Yuki Tsunoda completed the top positions. Gabriel Bortoleto managed a strong beginning and moved into eleventh place. Charles Leclerc had a difficult opening phase and dropped several positions, eventually falling to thirteenth.
As the laps continued, battles developed throughout the field. Liam Lawson briefly overtook Leclerc before the Monegasque driver responded and regained his position. Fernando Alonso made a small mistake and ran wide. This allowed Kimi Antonelli to move ahead. Tsunoda received a five-second penalty for track limits, which pushed him down the order once applied.
At the front, there were no doubts. Piastri controlled the race with precision and brought his McLaren across the finish line to secure his first Sprint victory of the twenty twenty five season. Russell completed another consistent drive for Mercedes, and Norris joined them on the podium. Verstappen finished close behind, and Antonelli, Alonso, and Carlos Sainz completed the points positions after Tsunoda’s penalty adjustment.
1) Oscar Piastri (McLaren/Mercedes)
2) George Russell (Mercedes)
3) Lando Norris (McLaren/Mercedes)
4) Max Verstappen (Red Bull/Honda RBPT)
6) Yuki Tsunoda (Red Bull/Honda RBPT)
5) Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes)
7) Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin/Mercedes)
8) Carlos Sainz (Williams/Mercedes)
9) Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls/Honda RBPT)
10) Alexander Albon (Williams/Mercedes)
11) Gabriel Bortoleto (Sauber/Ferrari)
12) Oliver Bearman (Haas/Ferrari)
13) Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)
14) Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls/Honda RBPT)
15) Esteban Ocon (Haas/Ferrari)
16) Nico Hülkenberg (Sauber/Ferrari)
17) Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari)
18) Pierre Gasly (Alpine/Renault)
19) Lance Stroll (Aston Martin/Mercedes)
20) Franco Colapinto (Alpine/Renault)
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