Starting grid sprint race Qatar | Verstappen chases Norris and Piastri

Oscar Piastri surprisingly grabbed the sprint pole at the Grand Prix weekend in Qatar. Teammate Lando Norris will start alongside him on the front row. Max Verstappen will try to outsmart the McLaren drivers from third place.

For Verstappen, the feeling on Saturday afternoon was not as good as a day earlier. Nevertheless, the Dutchman believes Red Bull Racing will be in a better position again in the sprint race. Team boss Christian Horner also stressed that Verstappen will not just settle for third place.

A good start is important in that case, though, and that has not always been a strong point of the RB19. At the same time, Verstappen sees an eager George Russell starting alongside him, who in turn sees the Ferrarisof Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc in his mirrors. Behind them, Nico Hulkenberg is in a handsome seventh position.

Next to Hulkenberg, Sergio Perez starts eighth, another disappointing result for the Mexican. Fernando Alonso and his former teammate Esteban Ocon complete the top ten.