What the teams said – Sprint day and Qualifying in Qatar

McLaren showcased dominant form in Qatar, with Oscar Piastri securing a commanding Sprint victory—his third consecutive—before seizing pole position for the Grand Prix. This triumph led a sensational front-row lockout for McLaren, with teammate Lando Norris qualifying second despite a Q3 error. Norris had previously finished third in the Sprint, extending his championship advantage. Max Verstappen will start third, acknowledging improvements but still trailing the McLarens. Mercedes drivers George Russell and Andrea Kimi Antonelli qualified fourth and fifth, aiming to consolidate their P2 standing in the Constructors' Championship. Standout performances included Isack Hadjar’s impressive P6 for Racing Bulls and Carlos Sainz's P7 for Williams despite car issues.