As the laps ticked down in the Qatar Grand Prix, McLaren inched closer still to that trophy. With both Norris and Piastri running at the front of the field, they were in striking distance of their first title since 1998.

McLaren could be celebrating its first constructors’ championship in almost three decades — but a few rivals stand in the way.

Freshly crowned world champion Max Verstappen claimed pole position for the Qatar Formula One Grand Prix while Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri had to settle for third and fourth after their sprinnt race one-two.

Red Bull driver Max Verstappen captured pole position for the F1 Qatar Grand Prix, but he will not start there