For the third year in a row, Max Verstappen claimed victory at the Grand Prix of Qatar on Sunday evening! This win has blown the World Championship wide open, setting the stage for a thrilling finale next week in Abu Dhabi, with Verstappen still very much in contention. Behind the four-time Red Bull world champion, McLaren driver Oscar Piastri finished second in Qatar. World Championship leader Lando Norris only managed fourth place, behind the surprising Carlos Sainz.
During the race, McLaren made a crucial miscalculation by not pitting both cars during an early safety car situation. This proved costly for Piastri – who started from pole – and Norris. With just one race to go – next week in Abu Dhabi – the World Championship standings are as follows: Norris 408 points, Verstappen 396, Piastri 392.
Here’s a bird’s-eye view of the GP of Qatar:
ROUND 1/57: Oscar Piastri gets off to a good start from pole, as does Max Verstappen from P3. World Championship leader Lando Norris takes no risks and opts for a conservative approach. This costs him a position as he drops back to P3, just ahead of Kimi Antonelli. There are no significant incidents at the start.
Hülkenberg triggers safety car
ROUND 7/57: Nico Hülkenberg triggers the first safety car situation after a crash with Pierre Gasly. Piastri and Norris continue, but Verstappen immediately pits and swaps his medium tires for fresh rubber. He returns to the track in fourth place, behind Piastri, Norris, and Ocon. The latter also pits to serve his five-second time penalty for a false start. In other words, the safety car situation seems to have worked out strategically for Verstappen.
ROUND 11/57: The race resumes without incident. Piastri leads, followed by Norris, Verstappen, Sainz, and Antonelli. The McLarens need to build a significant gap, as they still have two mandatory pit stops to make, while Verstappen has already completed one. The McLarens must pit for the first time by lap 25 at the latest.
Verstappen in clean air
ROUND 20/57: Max Verstappen is driving well behind the McLarens in clean air, allowing him to manage his tires effectively. The gap between him and leader Piastri is about eight seconds.
ROUND 24/57: Oscar Piastri is the first to be called in for new tires and returns to the track in fifth place after a relatively slow stop (3.1 seconds), more than two seconds behind Antonello.
ROUND 25/57: Lando Norris has also made his first pit stop (in 2.2 seconds) and re-enters the track behind Piastri, but just ahead of Fernando Alonso. The current situation is as follows: Verstappen, Sainz, Antonelli, Piastri, and Norris.
Chaos in the Pitlane
ROUND 32/57: Max Verstappen is the first to make his second pit stop, switching his tyres for the hard compound. He re-enters the track three seconds behind Norris. Behind Verstappen, chaos ensues in the pitlane as seventeen cars make their second mandatory stop more or less simultaneously. Everything just about goes smoothly.
ROUND 37/57: Lando Norris reports damage to his car after a minor detour through the gravel in turn 14. The damage is minimal, but he has to occasionally ease off the gas to save tyres.
ROUND 43/57: Oscar Piastri makes his second stop. It’s super quick (1.8 seconds), and the Australian returns to the race in third place, more than 17 seconds behind Verstappen. The latter is somewhat stuck behind Norris and is trying to overtake him.
Podium in Sight for Sainz
ROUND 45/57: McLaren brings Norris in for his second stop. This works out well for Verstappen, who now has a clear track. Meanwhile, Norris re-enters the race in fifth position, behind Verstappen, Piastri, Sainz, and Antonelli respectively.
ROUND 53/57: Lando Norris just can’t get past Kimi Antonelli in P4. Ahead of them, Williams driver Carlos Sainz is pulling out all the stops for a surprising podium finish. Meanwhile, Verstappen seems to have no issues, with a comfortable lead over Piastri in P2.
ROUND 57/57: Victory is secured! Max Verstappen is flagged as the winner of the Qatar GP! Behind Verstappen, Piastri finishes second, with Sainz in third. Lando Norris manages to clinch fourth place at the last moment, ahead of Antonelli. It’s a small consolation for the Brit.
