Oscar Piastri turned around a difficult spell with the fastest time in qualifying for the Qatar Grand Prix sprint event, as Formula 1 title contenders Lando Norris was third and Max Verstappen took sixth.
The McLaren competitor achieved his first top spot since the race in the Netherlands on Friday evening in Qatar, outpacing Mercedes entrant George Russell, while Norris could only secure third position.
Fernando Alonso shone for Aston Martin in fourth place, followed by a notable performance by Yuki Tsunoda in fifth, making him the first Red Bull driver to outperform Verstappen in qualifying since the Azerbaijan GP earlier in the 2024 season.
Lewis Hamilton faced a tough end to his initial season at Ferrari, being eliminated during the first part of sprint qualifying and set to begin from 18th.
Here’s how you can follow the action.
What is the scheduled start time for the sprint race at the F1 Qatar Grand Prix?
• Date: Saturday, November 29
• Start time: 2pm GMT/5pm local time
The Qatar Grand Prix sprint race is slated to begin at 2pm in the United Kingdom and 5pm local time, with the race at Losail anticipated to consist of 19 laps.
George Russell, Mercedes F1 W15, leads Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB20, Lando Norris, McLaren MCL38, Oscar Piastri, McLaren MCL38, and the rest of the field at the start
Photo by: Andy Hone / Motorsport Images
When is the qualifying session for the F1 Qatar Grand Prix scheduled?
• Date: Saturday, November 29
• Start time: 6pm GMT/9pm local time
The Qatar Grand Prix qualifying session will begin at 6pm in the UK and 9pm in Doha, adhering to the standard Q1, Q2, and Q3 format.
What are the viewing options for Formula 1?
In the UK, F1 enthusiasts can follow the championship through Sky Sports, which also provides access via streaming platforms like NOW TV and Sky GO. A Sky Sports F1 subscription is priced at £20 per month, and it can be obtained as a package deal including all Sky channels for £22.
NOW TV offers a one-time day membership for £14.99 and a monthly subscription at £31.99. Free-to-air television also broadcasts highlights, with Channel 4 presenting a package several hours after the Saturday and Sunday events.
How can the F1 Qatar GP sprint race and grand prix qualifying be watched?
• Channel: Sky Sports F1
• Sprint race start time: 1pm GMT
• Grand prix qualifying start time: 5:15pm GMT
Sky Sports F1 will provide coverage of all sessions in the 2025 F1 season for UK viewers. This weekend, Sky’s broadcast will commence at 1pm for the sprint race, followed by a pre-qualifying segment four and a quarter hours later. Live commentary is also accessible through Autosport.
Lando Norris, McLaren MCL38, slows down to let Oscar Piastri, McLaren MCL38
Photo by: Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images
Where can I find highlights of the F1 Qatar GP sprint race and grand prix qualifying?
• Channel: Channel 4
• Start time: 10:05pm GMT on Saturday, November 29
Throughout the 2025 season, Channel 4 has been offering highlights of F1’s Saturday and Sunday sessions. For the Qatar Grand Prix, a 90-minute highlight reel, encompassing both the sprint race and the grand prix qualifying, will be broadcast from 10:05pm on Saturday, November 29. It will also be available for streaming on All 4.
Will the F1 Qatar GP sprint race and grand prix qualifying be broadcast on the radio?
Live radio coverage of the 2025 F1 season is provided by BBC Radio 5 Live, BBC 5 Live Sports Extra, and the BBC Sport website. The Qatar Grand Prix sprint race will be covered on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra at 2pm, while the grand prix qualifying will be on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra 2 at 6pm.
What is the anticipated weather for the sprint race and grand prix qualifying in Doha?
The weather forecast for Saturday in Losail predicts dry and warm conditions. The sprint race is expected to take place in 25C temperatures, with the grand prix qualifying in 23C, and both sessions are expected to be free of rain.
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– The Autosport.com Team
