The international media thoroughly enjoyed the race weekend in Qatar. At the Losail International Circuit, the championship could have been decided for the first time, in favor of Lando Norris. However, a strategic blunder cost the papayas the victory. Max Verstappen took full advantage and further closed the gap on World Championship leader Norris. Oscar Piastri was pushed back to third place.
“Lando Norris‘s first match point was not converted,” writes La Gazzetta dello Sport. “McLaren wasted the chance to win the race as early as the seventh lap.” During an early safety car, the team chose not to take a free pit stop, thereby shooting themselves in the foot. Norris and Piastri were then the only ones who – due to Pirelli’s tire rules – had to stop twice more. Verstappen took full advantage, as the Italians also observe. “He was a Terminator,” says the medium, comparing the Dutchman to the cool-headed sci-fi robot. “As always, he was flawless. Moreover, he is the reason we don’t want to miss the Abu Dhabi GP for all the gold in the world.”
‘McLaren’s strategists were not aware’
L’Équipe delves further into McLaren’s notable mistake: “Before the start of the Qatar GP, one question was central: what strategy should be applied with the two mandatory pit stops?” For safety reasons, Pirelli demanded that drivers drive a maximum of 25 laps on one set of tires. In a 57-lap race, this meant a mandatory two-stopper. Coincidentally, a collision between Nico Hülkenberg and Pierre Gasly led to a safety car in lap seven, exactly the right moment to make a ‘free’ pit stop. “Ironically, the safety car came exactly at the moment when a pit stop was ideal to stay within the rules of this Qatari race,” the French also note.
“But apparently, McLaren’s strategists were not aware of this,” the report continues sharply. “They stayed on track when everyone else made their first pit stop, and it cost them dearly. This allowed Max Verstappen to secure his seventh victory of the season. With an excellent pace – perhaps not as fast as Piastri, but comparable to Norris – the Dutchman was able to take full advantage.
Disastrous Blunder
Our eastern neighbors also saw McLaren miss horribly. BILD headlined relentlessly: “Gross mistake costs Norris the championship.” The report continues: “Verstappen ensured that the title fight is postponed. McLaren gambled in Qatar and spoiled the first chance at the title for Norris. His team made a disastrous blunder in the pits, which means the world championship will only be decided next week.”
Finally, the Daily Mail focuses on the season finale in Abu Dhabi, where the championship – à la 2021 – can be decided in a controversial manner again. “Give McLaren a gun and they shoot themselves in the foot,” opens the sharp race report. “So Lando Norris travels to Abu Dhabi without having secured the title. The unstoppable Max Verstappen, winner under the spotlights in Qatar, is still in the race for a fifth consecutive world title, after a catastrophic strategic blunder by his rivals.” With a nod to 2021, the medium concludes: “Has the Dutchman ever triumphed under special circumstances in the capital of the Emirates? Is a repeat of his controversial 2021 victory written in the stars?” Only time will tell!
