Andrew Benson
BBC F1 correspondent

Image source, Getty Images

McLaren’s Lando Norris took pole position for the sprint race at the Qatar Grand Prix ahead of Mercedes driver George Russell.

Norris pipped Russell by just 0.063 seconds, with the second McLaren of Oscar Piastri in third place.

Ferrari, who are competing with McLaren for the constructors’ championship, were fourth and fifth, Carlos Sainz 0.027secs faster than Charles Leclerc.

Newly crowned world champion Max Verstappen was only sixth, ahead of Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton.

Read the full report here.

That's it from us for today so join us for what should be an exciting day of action tomorrow.

I'll leave you with Andrew Benson's report. Goodbye!

Tomorrow we have the sprint race and then qualifying for the Qatar Grand Prix. Here's the times and how you can follow.

Sprint: 14:00-15:00 GMT (online-only via BBC Sport website and smart speakers)

Qualifying: 18:00-19:00 (online-only via BBC Sport website and smart speakers)

McLaren's Oscar Piastri, speaking to Sky Sports after finishing third in sprint qualifying: "Reasonably happy. In these conditions it was very tough and I am pretty sure everyone will say that. Struggled a bit at the start. This track is pretty mega to drive around.

"It is a lot of fun here, especially the high speed sections."

Marc Priestley
Former F1 mechanic on BBC Radio 5 Live

The car has really transformed from just a week ago. It is very, very fast around here, very smooth, but that seems to suit McLaren.

Advantage McLaren.

More from Lando Norris: "I want to win! We want to win every session as drivers.

"Our target is a one-two, we want to maximise points for our constructor. We know Mercedes and Ferrari will be quick tomorrow."

Rosanna Tennant
5 Live F1 reporter in Qatar

George Russell managing to split the McLarens, perhaps that was more unexpected but the cold temperatures perhaps helped to propel him between the McLarens.

McLaren's Lando Norris, who secured sprint pole: "It is tough here because it is so quick. It feels like the quickest circuit of the year. The final sector feels like you are hanging on.

"But great qualifying today, especially to bounce back from where we were in Vegas.

"We came here to get pole and we got that so job done for today."

1) Norris

2) Russell

3) Piastri

4) Sainz

5) Leclerc

6) Verstappen

7) Hamilton

8) Gasly

9) Hulkenberg

10) Lawson

It is fourth quickest for Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc sixth!

George Russell improves but goes second quickest. Just 0.063 off Lando Norris.

Both McLarens are unable to improve so Lando Norris' 1:21.012 is the time to beat...

As we head into this last chance to take sprint pole it is Lando Norris who leads from Oscar Piastri and then George Russell, Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton.

So after the first runs the Ferraris are sixth and ninth respectively but surely they will improve.

Nico Hulkenberg is out for his one and only lap in this top 10 shootout.

Lewis Hamilton is fastest of anyone in the first sector but he loses time in the final sector and goes fifth fastest.

Here come the McLarens as Lando Norris does a 1:21.012 before Oscar Piastri slots into P2, just under two tenths off Norris' time.

But Charles Leclerc swiftly goes six tenths quicker, clocking 1:21.705.

The first score on the door is from Pierre Gasly as he does a 1:22.341.

Everyone is on softs, as they have to be for the final part of qualifying.