Max Verstappen stays in the title fight with Qatar Grand Prix win

This 2025 formula 1 season will reach its thrilling end next weekend. Under the motto ‘noting is impossible’, Max Verstappen managed to seal the victory at the Qatar Grand Prix, while championship contenders Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris finished second and fourth after a strategic miscalculation.

Key moments of the Grand Prix

Immediately in turn 1, the reigning world champion showed he is still very much in the title fight by overtaking Lando Norris. He then set off in pursuit of polesitter Oscar Piastri. Further back in the grid, Nico Hülkenberg attempted an overtake when Frenchman Pierre Gasly made contact with him, forcing Hülkenberg to retire on the spot. And out came the safety car.

The Qatar Grand Prix was always expected to be interesting due to the mandatory double pit stop imposed on all drivers, combined with a maximum tyre life of 25 laps per set. This race had every sign to become a strategic masterclass.

Red Bull and Verstappen were the first to take the risk, diving into the pits under the Safety Car to complete the first of their two mandatory stops. Many teams followed, with the exception of McLaren, who decided to stay out. Verstappen resumed the chase for the win from third place.

Unfortunately, the damage for McLaren had already been done. By the time both drivers rejoined the track, Piastri had dropped to P2 and Norris to P5, stuck behind Kimi Antonelli and Carlos Sainz. Verstappen secured his victory, Piastri held onto second, and Norris crossed the line only in fourth.

CEO Zak Brown and Team Principal Andrea Stella admitted after the race that the team had made the wrong strategic call. Brown added: “Feel terrible for Oscar and Lando.” Stella concluded: “I think we have all the ingredients to be successful, it's still in our hands but it requires to do a better job than what we have done in the last two races.”

Lando Norris appeared to be running out of time to overtake Kimi Antonelli before the checkered flag, but on lap 56 the young Italian rookie made a small steering error, giving Norris the opening he needed to move into fourth place. This action drew heavy criticism from the Red Bull side. Verstappen’s race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase stated: “It looked like [Antonelli] just pulled over and let Norris through.” Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko was also convinced the Mercedes driver had helped Norris. Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff immediately leapt to Antonelli’s defence, firing back: “We’re fighting for P2 in the championship, which is important for us. Kimi’s fighting for a potential P3. I mean, how brainless can you be to even say something like this?” The matter even spilled over onto social media, where Antonelli now receives several (death) threats.

Ferrari once again left the weekend without major success. Lewis Hamilton was again eliminated in Q1 and finished outside the points. He apologized to fans afterwards: “I’m sorry. But I’m incredibly grateful for the support I’ve had all year. I wouldn’t have made it through without them.” His teammate Charles Leclerc did manage to score four points with an eighth-place finish.

Where there are losers, there are also winners. Carlos Sainz started the Grand Prix from seventh and overtook Isack Hadjar and George Russell in the opening lap. He then passed Antonelli during the first pit stop, securing third place after McLaren’s strange strategic choices. Even Sainz was surprised, summarizing his weekend by saying: “We came into this weekend thinking it was going to be the most difficult of the year, and suddenly we came out of it with a podium.”

Scenarios heading into Abu Dhabi.

What happened, happened. Full focus now shifts to the final Grand Prix of the 2025 formula one season. These are the possible scenarios that could decide how the weekend unfolds.

Clear your schedule for Sunday at 1 p.m. London time and get ready for a thrilling conclusion to the 2025 Formula 1 season. Three drivers: Lando Norris, Max Verstappen and Oscar Piastri: but only one can be crowned world champion.