Sprint Race start time and grid
The Sprint Race coverage kicks off at 14:50. After securing pole position, Oscar Piastri heads the grid, keeping the drivers’ championship wide open. Lando Norris starts with a 24-point advantage over his closest rivals, Oscar Piastri and Max Verstappen, adding extra tension to the final races of the season.
Ferrari faces a challenging Sprint Race. Lewis Hamilton qualified in P18, while Charles Leclerc starts in P9 after a miscommunication with Carlos Sainz during qualifying. Both drivers will be aiming to recover as many positions as possible in the sprint.
Pirelli insights: Simone Berra on Lusail tire performance
Simone Berra, Chief Engineer at Pirelli, offered a detailed analysis of how the Lusail circuit surface is affecting tire performance this weekend:
“The track presented much better conditions compared to last season. The strong winds that carried sand onto the asphalt last year, reducing grip, were not a factor this time. The improved grip level, combined with car evolution, allowed lap times to drop compared to both last year’s sessions and pre-race simulations,” Berra explained.
“During the only practice session, teams focused on using the Hard tires to familiarize themselves with the circuit. Only one set of Hards will remain available for Sunday’s race. Long runs were then completed using the Soft tires.”
“By the end of the day, small cuts were observed on the tread of some tires, caused by gravel pushed onto the track from cars running off into the newly installed runoff areas. While these cuts do not risk pressure loss, the situation will be closely monitored during tomorrow’s sessions,” concluded Pirelli’s chief engineer.
With these conditions, teams will need to carefully manage their tires during the Sprint Race, balancing performance and longevity on Lusail’s evolving asphalt. Stay tuned for live updates as the action unfolds at the 2025 Qatar Grand Prix.
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