The FIA has released the new starting grid for the Sprint: here are the details
The FIA has just released the official starting grid for the 2025 Qatar Sprint, and the situation is clear: we’re heading into a short race with an even shorter grid. Four drivers will begin from the pit lane, a set of decisions that reshuffle the deck and open up intriguing technical scenarios just hours before lights out.
The FIA Statement: The Official Grid
The headline name — as we reported just minutes ago — is Lewis Hamilton. After qualifying only eighteenth, the seven-time World Champion will start from the pit lane, with Ferrari describing the Sprint as a “dynamic working session.” In other words: full focus on Sunday.
Joining him in the pit lane will be Lance Stroll, Pierre Gasly, and Franco Colapinto, all opting to sacrifice grid position in favor of testing setup changes, engine mappings, and tyre-degradation strategies. On a demanding, abrasive track like Lusail, this move could become a decisive advantage during the main race.
At the front, nothing changes: Oscar Piastri will launch from pole in his McLaren, followed by George Russell’s Mercedes and Lando Norris in third. Behind them is a tightly packed group that promises a fiery start, with Alonso, Tsunoda, Verstappen, and Antonelli separated by less than a tenth.
The New Starting Grid
- Oscar Piastri – McLaren – 1:20.055
- George Russell – Mercedes – +0.032
- Lando Norris – McLaren – +0.230
- Fernando Alonso – Aston Martin – +0.395
- Yuki Tsunoda – Red Bull Racing – +0.464
- Max Verstappen – Red Bull Racing – +0.473
- Kimi Antonelli – Mercedes – +0.477
- Carlos Sainz – Williams – +0.487
- Charles Leclerc – Ferrari – +0.567
- Alexander Albon – Williams – +0.733
- Isack Hadjar – Racing Bulls
- Oliver Bearman – Haas F1 Team
- Gabriel Bortoleto – Kick Sauber
- Nico Hulkenberg – Kick Sauber
- Esteban Ocon – Haas F1 Team
- Liam Lawson – Racing Bulls
- Lance Stroll – Aston Martin (from pit)
- Lewis Hamilton – Ferrari (from pit)
- Pierre Gasly – Alpine (from pit)
- Franco Colapinto – Alpine (from pit)
