F1 2023 Qatar GP LIVE: Sprint race live stream, updates and results as Max Verstappen looks to seal title

Preview by Kieran Jackson

At the Lusail International Circuit, house to the second iteration this weekend of Formula 1’s Qatar Grand Prix, a reminder of the nation’s crowning second glows vivid within the background.

The Lusail Iconic Stadium, the 88,000-capacity golden bowl which hosted final 12 months’s World Cup closing, is lower than 10 miles down the street. But with the planet’s largest present having come and gone – with its justifiable share of acclaim and criticism – Qatari executives are decided to transfer on. A brand new spectacle is on the town.

“We are the new World Cup for the next 10 years,” boldly acknowledged Amro Al-Hamad, CEO of the Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation, earlier this 12 months.

Max Verstappen will start his quest to win the world championship from third for Saturday’s dash race in Qatar as Oscar Piastri took a shock pole place.

Piastri noticed off team-mate Lando Norris as McLaren secured a front-row lockout.

Lewis Hamilton was knocked out of Q2 and certified solely 12th in his Mercedes for the 19-lap sprint, which will get underway at 8:30pm native time (6:30pm BST).

Verstappen will wrap up his third consecutive title if he finishes sixth or higher, or if Red Bull team-mate Sergio Perez fails to end inside the highest three within the dash on the Lusail International Circuit. Perez certified solely eighth on yet one more scruffy outing for the struggling Mexican.

A day after taking prime spot for the beginning of Sunday’s 57-lap important occasion, Verstappen, who has dominated all 12 months, noticed his first lap in Q3 deleted for exceeding monitor limits at Turn 5.

“Happy for the group however I did one other dangerous job at present, ought to have been pole yesterday and at present however it’s not.

“Just errors, not placing a lap collectively after I want to, not placing it collectively. Frustrating, the automobile is fast sufficient however I’m not delivering on what I would like to do.”

Fair to say, very similar to yesterday, that’s he’s not joyful.

“Very joyful, I’d simply give the FIA 5 minutes to be certain I’m on pole! Pretty good lap, I noticed Lando made a mistake on the final nook however no, very joyful!

“Struggled a bit within the first two components however then acquired my act collectively for the final one.

“Max is barely beginning third, he’s not one million miles away. We’ll strive our greatest and see what we will pull off.”

Max Verstappen solely third quickest, however Lando Norris looks to have it within the bag… earlier than Oscar Piastri goes prime of the standings!

Norris appeared set to beat it although, earlier than working huge on the closing nook!

A pole place spot for the rookie!

“Very very very nice, that was unexpected!” says Piastri.

Lando Norris goes quickest, simply 0.039 secs forward of his McLaren team-mate Oscar Piastri!

Sergio Perez third, with Carlos Sainz fourth – Max Verstappen simply fifth.

And some drivers merely want to set legitimate instances now… two minutes left!

Windy circumstances, a skiddy monitor and a newly configured nook making it very troublesome for all of the drivers right here!

Max Verstappen appeared to have gone prime of the leaderboard with a storming lap, however he’s gone past the white line at flip 5!

So, it’s Carlos Sainz first proper now! Most of the sphere now leaving the pit lane, simply ready for the optimum monitor circumstances.

Who will likely be on pole for the dash race later?

A quickfire eight minutes now for SQ3, with all of the 10 drivers going to softs.

10 drivers concerned: Verstappen, Perez, Leclerc, Sainz, Norris, Russell, Alonso, Hulkenberg, Ocon

First out of the pit lane? Max Verstappen.

Nightmare for the seven-time world champion! Track limits deletes his closing lap and he’s solely 12th quickest!

That’ll make for a tricky night tonight for Lewis Hamilton.

Bottom-five and out in SQ2 (11-15): Gasly, Hamilton, Bottas, Lawson, Zhou

Top-3: Norris, Russell, Perez