SQ1

Sprint Qualifying in Qatar started with Max Verstappen setting the early pace with a 1:22.2, but his Red Bull was scraping along the track. Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri soon went faster, with Norris eight-tenths ahead of Verstappen and Piastri just behind. Verstappen fought back and briefly took the lead, while Fernando Alonso also moved up the order, showing strong pace.

As the session continued, drivers at risk included Lewis Hamilton, Franco Colapinto, Lance Stroll, Andrea Kimi Antonelli and George Russell. Mercedes waited until the end for their fast laps. Gabriel Bortoleto and Nico Hülkenberg impressed for Sauber, moving up the order. In the final runs, Hamilton could only reach 15th. There were minor incidents involving Verstappen and Norris, but the stewards decided no action was needed.

Eliminated in SQ1 were Lance Stroll, Liam Lawson, Lewis Hamilton, Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto.

SQ2

In SQ2, all drivers stayed on medium tyres. Verstappen led the first laps, but McLaren quickly took the lead, with Norris setting a 1:20.9 to stay fastest. Verstappen again struggled with bouncing. Oscar Piastri and George Russell stayed close behind. Esteban Ocon was the first driver in danger of elimination, while Isack Hadjar initially looked safe but lost his best lap for exceeding track limits.

Other drivers, including Yuki Tsunoda, Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc, improved but remained behind the leaders. Nico Hulkenberg ran wide and could not improve. Andrea Kimi Antonelli moved into the top ten thanks to Hadjar losing his lap. Norris finished fastest, with Piastri and Russell close behind.

Eliminated in SQ2 were Isack Hadjar, Oliver Bearman, Gabriel Bortoleto, Nico Hulkenberg and Esteban Ocon.

SQ3

For the final part, soft tyres were used. Mercedes went out first, followed by Red Bull. All drivers pushed hard to stay on the track. Verstappen struggled with his bouncing car, especially in Turns 2 and 4. George Russell set the early fastest lap, with Leclerc second. McLaren responded, and Oscar Piastri went fastest with 1:20.055, just ahead of Russell, with Norris third.

Verstappen improved to fourth but was then overtaken by Yuki Tsunoda and Fernando Alonso, leaving him sixth. Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Carlos Sainz, Charles Leclerc and Alexander Albon completed the top ten. Piastri kept his lead and claimed pole position for the sprint.