Leclerc fastest over Norris and Piastri in only practice session

Charles Leclerc led the way in Formula 1’s sole Qatar Grand Prix practice session to lead both McLarens at the top of the order.

The Monegasque posted a 1m21.953s to sit 0.425s clear of Lando Norris’ best lap, as the Briton nudged ahead of team-mate Oscar Piastri on the final timing screens.

The opening 45 minutes of the session were largely dedicated to running on the medium tyre in preparation for the sprint qualifying and race sessions, while also cleaning up a dusty circuit before grand prix qualifying preparation on the soft tyres concluded the hour.

Yet it was the two Ferraris, running on the hard tyre, who cycled towards the top of the timing order; Charles Leclerc ended the running on the harder two compounds of tyres with a 1m23.419s, although was gazumped by team-mate Carlos Sainz’s 1m23.068s.

The flurry of soft-tyre runs concluded the session, with the top-end times opened by Sainz’s 1m22.982s, although Leclerc found a 1m22.242s to firmly put this in the shade.

The McLarens got close, as Piastri was under two-tenths slower, although Norris found half a tenth on his team-mate to slot into second place.

Leclerc improved by three-tenths on his second tilt at a lap on the softs, although the McLarens were unable to get a second run going in an effort to get closer.

Lando Norris, McLaren MCL38

Photo by: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images

Sainz was fourth, with Yuki Tsunoda fifth as he was just over a second behind Leclerc’s ultimate lap. With a late effort, Valtteri Bottas set the best middle sector en route to sixth – the Sauber driver hoping to continue that into the rest of the weekend to ensure he does not end the year scoreless.

This was 0.03s clear of Lance Stroll in seventh, who got ahead of George Russell, Alex Albon, and Lewis Hamilton.

Recently minted four-time champion Max Verstappen was only 11th fastest ahead of Fernando Alonso, Nico Hulkenberg, and Liam Lawson, as the Dutchman brushed the gravel at Turn 15 on his final flyer.

Pierre Gasly was granted Alpine’s sole construction of its new nosecone and front wing, with a shorter nose tip to detach the central part of the wing’s mainplane. Although the Frenchman spent the earlier runs among the front-runners, he slipped down the order during the soft-tyre runs.