The two McLarens are three-and-a-half tenths clear of George Russell in third place. Max Verstappen is a further 0.454 seconds away from his title rivals.
Let's hope this is an epic conclusion, Trevor...
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Epic quali - prepare to watch something legendary
Trevor
A marshal is legging it onto the track to pick up the giant sticker that was wrapped around Carlos Sainz's tyre. So, while we wait to go again, this is how the top 10 looks after the opening runs:
1. Lando Norris
2. Oscar Piastri
3. George Russell
4. Max Verstappen
5. Isack Hadjar
6. Kimi Antonelli
7. Fernando Alonso
8. Carlos Sainz
9. Pierre Gasly
10. Charles Leclerc
Andrew Benson
BBC F1 correspondent
That is two absolute outstanding laps from the two McLaren drivers and it's looking like a private battle for pole between those two.
The session is temporarily stopped, with Lando Norris quickest from his team-mate Oscar Piastri.
A bit of plastic flew off Carlos Sainz's car when he was released from the garage, so it could be for that, or it could be for gravel after Charles Leclerc's spin.
Max Verstappen puts in a time good enough for the second row in P3 but George Russell is able to topple the Dutchman and push him down into fourth spot.
Meanwhile, Charles Leclerc has had a huge spin during his opening run. The Ferrari has been a nightmare to handle for the Monegasque driver and he;s without a time on th board.
Marc Priestley
Former F1 mechanic on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra
At the end of this session when the circuit is at its quickest, you are going to see the championship contenders putting everything out there, leaving nothing on the table to try and maximise what they can get and get that all important pole position.
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Wonderful qualifying and exciting. Hopefully the world championship will end in Abu Dhabi with Max getting his fifth championship!
David
Lando Norris is on provisional pole after his first run but here comes Oscar Piastri. What can he do? It's second for the Australian. The gap is just 0.035 seconds between the McLaren team-mates.
Image source, Getty ImagesThe big guns are out on track, all itching to grab this vital pole position for tomorrow's 57-lap race. Oscar Piastri has been the druver in form this weekend after a difficult run but Lando Norris is hitting purple sectors on his opening attempt...
The time to beat from Norris is a 1:19.495.
Marc Priestley
Former F1 mechanic on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra
Oscar Piastri just by tiny margins is more comfortable in this particular session. He's looking like he's hooking up the entire lap with that McLaren that is working so well.
He's found a little bit of form on a personal level, he's got some confidence back in himself and in that car.
It's all coming together for Piastri.
If the pole fight is between the two McLaren drivers, who do you think will take pole position for tomorrow's Qatar Grand Prix?
Click the left thumb for Oscaer Piastri or hit the right thumb for Lando Norris.
A reminder Norris leads Piastri by 22 points following the Australian's win in the sprint earlier today.
Image source, Getty ImagesMarc Priestley
Former F1 mechanic on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra
This is the big one, this is the one that is so important perhaps more so here than at many of the other races we visit, not just because of what is at stake here in the championship, but this is a circuit that is very very difficult to overtake on.
Oscar Piastri topped that second session from McLaren team-mate Lando Norris by 0.211 seconds. Max Verstappen, the other title contender, was third fastest and Kimi Antonelli and his Mercedes were fourth.
Excellent job by Pierre Gasly and Alpine. The Frenchman is in the top 10 shootout and is delighted when told he has made it through on the team radio. "Let's gooooooooo!" he cries.
11. Nico Hulkenberg (Sauber)
12. Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls)
13. Oliver Bearman (Haas)
14. Gabriel Bortoleto (Sauber)
15. Alex Albon (Williams)
Image source, Getty ImagesAlex Albon can't improve and the Williams man is out in Q2. Kimi Antonelli is next to cross the line and it's fourth spot for the Mercedes rookie. His team-mate George Russell is fifth and has had a lap time deleted for track limits at Turn 10.
Charles Leclerc just about makes it through to the pole fight in ninth place.
Marc Priestley
Former F1 mechanic on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra
This lap from Lando Norris has got to be safe, risk-free to some extent and it has got to be fast.
11. Kimi Antonelli
12. Liam Lawson
13. Alex Albon
14. Gabriel Bortoleto
15. Charles Leclerc
Lando Norris needs to get a wriggle on here. The championship leader is purple in the middle sector but he's still two tenths off the pace of his title rival Oscar Piastri and slots into second ahead of Max Verstappen.
Image source, Getty ImagesThe tyre preparation is all-important at Qatar and Max Verstappen's latest flyer has lifted his Red Bull to second on the board behind the McLaren of Oscar Piastri.
George Russell, sitting in third place, tells his Mercedes pit wall needs a new visor for Q3, as the conditions on track are "really dusty".
| Rank | Driver | Number | Fastest Lap | Laps |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Oscar Piastri  McLaren | 81 | 1:20.924 | 29 |
2 | Lando Norris  McLaren | 4 | 1:20.982 | 28 |
3 | Fernando Alonso  Aston Martin | 14 | 1:21.310 | 26 |
4 | Carlos Sainz Jnr Williams | 55 | 1:21.404 | 20 |
5 | Isack Hadjar  Racing Bulls | 6 | 1:21.503 | 30 |
6 | Max Verstappen  Red Bull | 1 | 1:21.504 | 27 |
7 | Alexander Albon  Williams | 23 | 1:21.609 | 29 |
8 | Charles Leclerc  Ferrari | 16 | 1:21.668 | 31 |
9 | Lance Stroll  Aston Martin | 18 | 1:21.669 | 26 |
10 | Kimi Antonelli  Mercedes | 12 | 1:21.698 | 32 |
11 | Nico Hulkenberg  Audi | 27 | 1:21.783 | 23 |
12 | Lewis Hamilton Ferrari | 44 | 1:21.794 | 28 |
13 | Yuki Tsunoda  Red Bull | 22 | 1:21.796 | 28 |
14 | George Russell Mercedes | 63 | 1:21.824 | 33 |
15 | Oliver Bearman Haas | 87 | 1:21.926 | 26 |
16 | Gabriel Bortoleto  Audi | 5 | 1:21.926 | 29 |
17 | Esteban Ocon Haas | 31 | 1:22.096 | 30 |
18 | Pierre Gasly Alpine | 10 | 1:22.424 | 25 |
19 | Liam Lawson  Racing Bulls | 30 | 1:22.562 | 30 |
20 | Franco Colapinto  Alpine | 43 | 1:23.529 | 26 |
| Rank | Driver | Number | Qualifying 1 | Qualifying 1 | Qualifying 2 | Qualifying 2 | Qualifying 3 | Qualifying 3 | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Oscar Piastri McLaren | 81 | 1:21.286 | 1:21.286 | 1:21.005 | 1:21.005 | fastest lap 1:20.055 | fastest lap 1:20.055 | Qualifying 3, fastest lap 1:20.055 |
2 | George Russell Mercedes | 63 | 1:21.432 | 1:21.432 | 1:21.136 | 1:21.136 | 1:20.087 | 1:20.087 | Qualifying 3, 1:20.087 |
3 | Lando Norris McLaren | 4 | 1:21.398 | 1:21.398 | fastest lap 1:20.956 | fastest lap 1:20.956 | 1:20.285 | 1:20.285 | Qualifying 3, 1:20.285 |
4 | Fernando Alonso Aston Martin | 14 | 1:21.276 | 1:21.276 | 1:21.272 | 1:21.272 | 1:20.450 | 1:20.450 | Qualifying 3, 1:20.450 |
5 | Yuki Tsunoda Red Bull | 22 | 1:21.458 | 1:21.458 | 1:21.152 | 1:21.152 | 1:20.519 | 1:20.519 | Qualifying 3, 1:20.519 |
6 | Max Verstappen Red Bull | 1 | fastest lap 1:21.172 | fastest lap 1:21.172 | 1:21.036 | 1:21.036 | 1:20.528 | 1:20.528 | Qualifying 3, 1:20.528 |
7 | Kimi Antonelli Mercedes | 12 | 1:21.555 | 1:21.555 | 1:21.376 | 1:21.376 | 1:20.532 | 1:20.532 | Qualifying 3, 1:20.532 |
8 | Carlos Sainz Jnr Williams | 55 | 1:21.438 | 1:21.438 | 1:21.172 | 1:21.172 | 1:20.542 | 1:20.542 | Qualifying 3, 1:20.542 |
9 | Charles Leclerc Ferrari | 16 | 1:21.636 | 1:21.636 | 1:21.190 | 1:21.190 | 1:20.622 | 1:20.622 | Qualifying 3, 1:20.622 |
10 | Alexander Albon Williams | 23 | 1:21.721 | 1:21.721 | 1:21.212 | 1:21.212 | 1:20.788 | 1:20.788 | Qualifying 3, 1:20.788 |
11 | Isack Hadjar Racing Bulls | 6 | 1:21.399 | 1:21.399 | 1:21.433 | 1:21.433 | not available | not available | Qualifying 2, 1:21.433 |
12 | Oliver Bearman Haas | 87 | 1:21.526 | 1:21.526 | 1:21.494 | 1:21.494 | not available | not available | Qualifying 2, 1:21.494 |
13 | Gabriel Bortoleto Audi | 5 | 1:21.623 | 1:21.623 | 1:21.567 | 1:21.567 | not available | not available | Qualifying 2, 1:21.567 |
14 | Nico Hulkenberg Audi | 27 | 1:21.327 | 1:21.327 | 1:21.631 | 1:21.631 | not available | not available | Qualifying 2, 1:21.631 |
15 | Esteban Ocon Haas | 31 | 1:21.773 | 1:21.773 | 1:21.666 | 1:21.666 | not available | not available | Qualifying 2, 1:21.666 |
16 | Lance Stroll Aston Martin | 18 | 1:21.807 | 1:21.807 | not available | not available | not available | not available | Qualifying 1, 1:21.807 |
17 | Liam Lawson Racing Bulls | 30 | 1:21.851 | 1:21.851 | not available | not available | not available | not available | Qualifying 1, 1:21.851 |
18 | Lewis Hamilton Ferrari | 44 | 1:22.043 | 1:22.043 | not available | not available | not available | not available | Qualifying 1, 1:22.043 |
19 | Pierre Gasly Alpine | 10 | 1:22.112 | 1:22.112 | not available | not available | not available | not available | Qualifying 1, 1:22.112 |
20 | Franco Colapinto Alpine | 43 | 1:22.364 | 1:22.364 | not available | not available | not available | not available | Qualifying 1, 1:22.364 |
| Rank | Driver | Number | Laps | Time | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Oscar Piastri McLaren | 81 | 19 | 26:51.033 | 8 |
2 | George Russell Mercedes | 63 | 19 | 4.951 behind | 7 |
3 | Lando Norris McLaren | 4 | 19 | 6.279 behind | 6 |
4 | Max Verstappen Red Bull | 1 | 19 | 9.054 behind | 5 |
5 | Yuki Tsunoda Red Bull | 22 | 19 | 19.327 behind | 4 |
6 | Kimi Antonelli Mercedes | 12 | 19 | 21.391 behind | 3 |
7 | Fernando Alonso Aston Martin | 14 | 19 | 24.556 behind | 2 |
8 | Carlos Sainz Jnr Williams | 55 | 19 | 27.333 behind | 1 |
9 | Isack Hadjar Racing Bulls | 6 | 19 | 28.206 behind | 0 |
10 | Alexander Albon Williams | 23 | 19 | 28.925 behind | 0 |
11 | Gabriel Bortoleto Audi | 5 | 19 | 32.966 behind | 0 |
12 | Oliver Bearman Haas | 87 | 19 | 34.529 behind | 0 |
13 | Charles Leclerc Ferrari | 16 | 19 | 35.182 behind | 0 |
14 | Liam Lawson Racing Bulls | 30 | 19 | 36.916 behind | 0 |
15 | Esteban Ocon Haas | 31 | 19 | 38.838 behind | 0 |
16 | Nico Hulkenberg Audi | 27 | 19 | 39.638 behind | 0 |
17 | Lewis Hamilton Ferrari | 44 | 19 | 46.171 behind | 0 |
18 | Pierre Gasly Alpine | 10 | 19 | 1:09.534 behind | 0 |
19 | Lance Stroll Aston Martin | 18 | 19 | 1:17.960 behind | 0 |
20 | Franco Colapinto Alpine | 43 | 19 | 1:20.804 behind | 0 |
| Rank | Driver | Number | Qualifying 1 | Qualifying 1 | Qualifying 2 | Qualifying 2 | Qualifying 3 | Qualifying 3 | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Oscar Piastri McLaren | 81 | 1:20.234 | 1:20.234 | fastest lap 1:19.650 | fastest lap 1:19.650 | fastest lap 1:19.387 | fastest lap 1:19.387 | Qualifying 3, fastest lap 1:19.387 |
2 | Lando Norris McLaren | 4 | 1:20.157 | 1:20.157 | 1:19.861 | 1:19.861 | 1:19.495 | 1:19.495 | Qualifying 3, 1:19.495 |
3 | Max Verstappen Red Bull | 1 | 1:20.472 | 1:20.472 | 1:19.985 | 1:19.985 | 1:19.651 | 1:19.651 | Qualifying 3, 1:19.651 |
4 | George Russell Mercedes | 63 | fastest lap 1:20.074 | fastest lap 1:20.074 | 1:20.186 | 1:20.186 | 1:19.662 | 1:19.662 | Qualifying 3, 1:19.662 |
5 | Kimi Antonelli Mercedes | 12 | 1:20.576 | 1:20.576 | 1:20.084 | 1:20.084 | 1:19.846 | 1:19.846 | Qualifying 3, 1:19.846 |
6 | Isack Hadjar Racing Bulls | 6 | 1:20.603 | 1:20.603 | 1:20.350 | 1:20.350 | 1:20.114 | 1:20.114 | Qualifying 3, 1:20.114 |
7 | Carlos Sainz Jnr Williams | 55 | 1:20.520 | 1:20.520 | 1:20.251 | 1:20.251 | 1:20.287 | 1:20.287 | Qualifying 3, 1:20.287 |
8 | Fernando Alonso Aston Martin | 14 | 1:20.598 | 1:20.598 | 1:20.219 | 1:20.219 | 1:20.418 | 1:20.418 | Qualifying 3, 1:20.418 |
9 | Pierre Gasly Alpine | 10 | 1:20.681 | 1:20.681 | 1:20.324 | 1:20.324 | 1:20.477 | 1:20.477 | Qualifying 3, 1:20.477 |
10 | Charles Leclerc Ferrari | 16 | 1:20.564 | 1:20.564 | 1:20.343 | 1:20.343 | 1:20.561 | 1:20.561 | Qualifying 3, 1:20.561 |
11 | Nico Hulkenberg Audi | 27 | 1:20.630 | 1:20.630 | 1:20.353 | 1:20.353 | not available | not available | Qualifying 2, 1:20.353 |
12 | Liam Lawson Racing Bulls | 30 | 1:20.539 | 1:20.539 | 1:20.433 | 1:20.433 | not available | not available | Qualifying 2, 1:20.433 |
13 | Oliver Bearman Haas | 87 | 1:20.548 | 1:20.548 | 1:20.438 | 1:20.438 | not available | not available | Qualifying 2, 1:20.438 |
14 | Gabriel Bortoleto Audi | 5 | 1:20.653 | 1:20.653 | 1:20.534 | 1:20.534 | not available | not available | Qualifying 2, 1:20.534 |
15 | Alexander Albon Williams | 23 | 1:20.629 | 1:20.629 | 1:20.629 | 1:20.629 | not available | not available | Qualifying 2, 1:20.629 |
16 | Yuki Tsunoda Red Bull | 22 | 1:20.761 | 1:20.761 | not available | not available | not available | not available | Qualifying 1, 1:20.761 |
17 | Esteban Ocon Haas | 31 | 1:20.864 | 1:20.864 | not available | not available | not available | not available | Qualifying 1, 1:20.864 |
18 | Lewis Hamilton Ferrari | 44 | 1:20.907 | 1:20.907 | not available | not available | not available | not available | Qualifying 1, 1:20.907 |
19 | Lance Stroll Aston Martin | 18 | 1:21.058 | 1:21.058 | not available | not available | not available | not available | Qualifying 1, 1:21.058 |
20 | Franco Colapinto Alpine | 43 | 1:21.137 | 1:21.137 | not available | not available | not available | not available | Qualifying 1, 1:21.137 |
| Rank | Driver | Number | Grid | Pits | Fastest Lap | Race Time | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Max Verstappen Red Bull | 1 | 3 | 2 | 1:23.498 | 1:24:38.241 | 25 |
2 | Oscar Piastri McLaren | 81 | 1 | 2 | fastest overall lap 1:22.996 | 7.995 behind | 18 |
3 | Carlos Sainz Jnr Williams | 55 | 7 | 2 | 1:23.859 | 22.665 behind | 15 |
4 | Lando Norris McLaren | 4 | 2 | 2 | 1:23.197 | 23.315 behind | 12 |
5 | Kimi Antonelli Mercedes | 12 | 5 | 2 | 1:23.955 | 28.317 behind | 10 |
6 | George Russell Mercedes | 63 | 4 | 2 | 1:23.198 | 48.599 behind | 8 |
7 | Fernando Alonso Aston Martin | 14 | 8 | 2 | 1:23.940 | 54.045 behind | 6 |
8 | Charles Leclerc Ferrari | 16 | 10 | 2 | 1:24.432 | 56.785 behind | 4 |
9 | Liam Lawson Racing Bulls | 30 | 12 | 2 | 1:23.971 | 1:00.073 behind | 2 |
10 | Yuki Tsunoda Red Bull | 22 | 15 | 2 | 1:24.139 | 1:01.770 behind | 1 |
11 | Alexander Albon Williams | 23 | 14 | 2 | 1:24.261 | 1:06.931 behind | 0 |
12 | Lewis Hamilton Ferrari | 44 | 17 | 2 | 1:24.848 | 1:17.730 behind | 0 |
13 | Gabriel Bortoleto Audi | 5 | 19 | 2 | 1:25.233 | 1:24.812 behind | 0 |
14 | Franco Colapinto Alpine | 43 | not available | 2 | 1:25.644 | 1 lap behind | 0 |
15 | Esteban Ocon Haas | 31 | 16 | 3 | 1:25.056 | 1 lap behind | 0 |
16 | Pierre Gasly Alpine | 10 | 9 | 2 | 1:25.376 | 1 lap behind | 0 |
17 | Lance Stroll Aston Martin | 18 | 18 | 4 | 1:23.484 | did not finish completed 55 laps | 0 |
18 | Isack Hadjar Racing Bulls | 6 | 6 | 3 | 1:24.317 | did not finish completed 55 laps | 0 |
not classified | Oliver Bearman Haas | 87 | 13 | 3 | 1:24.930 | did not finish completed 41 laps | 0 |
not classified | Nico Hulkenberg Audi | 27 | 11 | 0 | 1:28.139 | did not finish completed 6 laps | 0 |