F1 LIVE | Qualifying for the 2023 Qatar Grand Prix

Qualifying for the 2023 Qatar Grand Prix is about to get underway. Will Max Verstappen be able to secure pole position, or will he face a challenge from his Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez? Or will McLaren, Mercedes and Ferrari mount a challenge? Find out in our qualifying liveblog below.

F1 LIVE | Qualifying: Qatar Grand Prix

The sprint race is now a standalone event with its own qualifying session, the sprint shootout. In previous years, the sprint race formed the grid for the Grand Prix, but that is no longer the case. World Championship points are still available, with the sprint winner picking up eight points. The number of points scored drops by one for each position in the top eight. During a sprint weekend, Friday qualifying forms the grid for Sunday's race.

The Qatar Grand Prix

The Qatar Grand Prix is one of the newer races added to the Formula 1 Calendar. The 2021 Grand Prix is the only race we’ve had around the Losail International Circuit, with the motorcycle circuit throwing up a superb race in its debut. Lewis Hamilton was victorious in 2021, as he was able to convert his pole position into a race victory. The race is one of the few night races, as Losail added outdoor lighting in 2007, allowing F1 to compete under the Sunday night lights.

Red Bull Racing are the favourites to win this weekend. They have won all but one race in the 2023 Formula 1 season, and it doesn't seem like Qatar will be another Singapore. The high speed corners could also favour McLaren. Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri have been pushing for the podium places in recent races whilst Ferrari and Carlos Sainz have also been contenders. George Russell, Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes will also be trying to spoil the Red Bull party. Sergio Perez hopes to score points to help him secure P2 in the Drivers Championship.

Verstappen's world championship Qatar permuations

- Perez finishes first in the sprint race, Verstappen finishes at least sixth
- Perez finishes second in the sprint race, Verstappen finishes at least seventh
- Perez finishes third in the sprint race, Verstappen finishes at least eighth
- Perez finishes fourth or lower in the sprint race

If Verstappen does not succeed in Qatar on Saturday, there will be another chance on Sunday. After Sunday there are still 146 points to be awarded. So if Perez scores enough points on Saturday to keep the title fight alive, it will still be a hell of a job to postpone Verstappen's title until after the United States Grand Prix at COTA.