HIGHLIGHTS: Watch the action from Sprint Qualifying in Qatar as Norris storms to pole ahead of Russell and Piastri

Lando Norris emerged as the man to beat in a closely-fought battle for pole position in Sprint Qualifying in Qatar, narrowly clinching the fastest lap of the session ahead of George Russell and Oscar Piastri.

The Briton clocked a time of 1m 21.012s, over two seconds quicker than Max Verstappen’s pole lap from last season, while the Mercedes slotted in just 0.063s behind, and the second McLaren another tenth adrift of Norris’s effort.

READ MORE: Norris storms to impressive Sprint Qualifying pole in Qatar ahead of Russell and Piastri

The Ferrari duo of Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc were not expecting this high-speed track to suit their car, but they claimed P4 and P5 respectively ahead of the recently crowned four-time world champion Verstappen.

While Russell was able to fight for the front row, his team mate Lewis Hamilton was forced to settle for seventh ahead of the high-flying trio of Pierre Gasly, Liam Lawson and Nico Hulkenberg.

Click go on the video player above to catch the action from Sprint Qualifying.