Oscar Piastri was fastest in FP1 in Qatar. Image: XPB Images
Oscar Piastri set the pace in first practice for the Qatar Grand Prix with a 1m20.924s, edging McLaren teammate and championship leader Lando Norris by 0.058s as Fernando Alonso and Carlos Sainz completed the top four.
Isack Hadjar impressed in fifth, with Max Verstappen sixth ahead of Alex Albon. Charles Leclerc, Lance Stroll and Kimi Antonelli rounded out the top ten, separated by less than a second.
Drivers battled gusty winds, balance issues and limited tyre mileage, with several — including Norris, Alonso and Verstappen — running off track in the tricky conditions. Verstappen also voiced frustration over traffic, particularly an Alpine getting in his way.
Cars return for Sprint Qualifying at 8.30pm local time (4.30am AEDT).
Pos.
No.
Driver
Team
Time / Gap
Laps
1
81
Oscar Piastri
McLaren
1:20.924
28
2
4
Lando Norris
McLaren
+0.058s
27
3
14
Fernando Alonso
Aston Martin
+0.386s
25
4
55
Carlos Sainz
Williams
+0.480s
20
5
6
Isack Hadjar
Racing Bulls
+0.579s
29
6
1
Max Verstappen
Red Bull Racing
+0.580s
26
7
23
Alexander Albon
Williams
+0.685s
28
8
16
Charles Leclerc
Ferrari
+0.744s
30
9
18
Lance Stroll
Aston Martin
+0.745s
25
10
12
Kimi Antonelli
Mercedes
+0.774s
31
11
27
Nico Hulkenberg
Kick Sauber
+0.859s
23
12
44
Lewis Hamilton
Ferrari
+0.870s
27
13
22
Yuki Tsunoda
Red Bull Racing
+0.872s
27
14
63
George Russell
Mercedes
+0.900s
32
15
87
Oliver Bearman
Haas F1 Team
+1.002s
25
16
5
Gabriel Bortoleto
Kick Sauber
+1.002s
28
17
31
Esteban Ocon
Haas F1 Team
+1.172s
29
18
10
Pierre Gasly
Alpine
+1.500s
24
19
30
Liam Lawson
Racing Bulls
+1.638s
29
20
43
Franco Colapinto
Alpine
+2.605s
25