A combination of skill and strategy saw four-time world champion Max Verstappen clinch the Formula 1 Qatar Grand Prix, his seventh win of the season and the 70th at the pinnacle of motorsport at the Lusail International Circuit on Sunday.
“This was an incredible race for us,” he outlined after a demanding race. “On pure pace, we would not have been able to win it. As a team, we made the right call to box during the safety car; that was smart.
“There was a little offset because of it all, but for us it was a very strong race in a weekend where it was a little bit tough. But we won the race, and that was the most important. I am really happy to win here. We are still in the championship fight right to the end, so it is truly amazing.”
McLaren’s Oscar Piastri and Williams’ Carlos Sainz, who had qualified in seventh place, completed the podium.
Ahead of the racing weekend in Qatar, the Red Bull Racing driver shared: “We can only afford to have a perfect weekend.” But as he struggled with a serious bounce in the car and the lack of pace, that goal became a moving target.
The McLarens dominated the Sprint - Piastri took pole and the win on Saturday. Moreover, Qualifying saw the Papaya pair locking out the front row for Sunday’s race; Piastri on pole and Lando Norris starting from P2.
Lights Out
The Australian held the lead and quickly pulled away from Verstappen, who also made a strong start from third on the grid, overtaking Norris to get away well.
“I have quite extreme balance shifts from right to left-hand corners,” the Dutch expressed over the team radio just before yellow flags came out when the Sauber of Nico Hulkenberg spun as he made contact with Alpine’s Pierre Gasly.
At this time, the polesitter held a 2.6-second lead over his adversary, who kept Norris at bay in third.
Strategy in the Spotlight
He may not have the best car this season, but his unmatched talent showed once again why he is the best driver on the grid.
Due to the highly demanding track in terms of energy, lateral forces, and severe tread wear, the FIA and Pirelli restricted each tire set to a maximum of 25 laps across the racing weekend, including laps run under the Safety Car or Virtual Safety Car.
In a 57-lap grand prix, it translated into two mandatory pit stops.
However, when the yellow flags turned into a full safety car on the seventh lap, Red Bull took a gamble, knowing Norris could eventually catch Verstappen, unable to match the McLaren’s pace.
The Dutchman executed the team strategy designed by Principal Strategy Engineer, Hannah Schmitz, to perfection, pitting early from second place to change tires.
The rest of the cars followed, packing the pit lane. The exception to the rule came at the hands of McLaren, as both cars stayed out during the safety-car period.
Also, the Haas of Esteban Ocon remained on track, but two costly time penalties would end any hopes of finishing in the point zone.
By lap 15, Verstappen, in need to finish ahead of Norris to take the battle for the championship to the last round in Abu Dhabi, found himself in third place, seven seconds behind Piastri (quickest car on track) and on the tail of second-place Norris.
A fascinating race began to take shape with two different strategies in place and glory at stake.
As the 25-lap limit approached, the Australian racer became the first to pit, taking a new set of mediums, returning in fourth place.
His teammate followed, rejoining the track in fifth, clinically ahead of Aston Martin Fernando Alonso, leading a long train of cars.
Verstappen became the new race leader, running in the clear air, followed by Sainz, Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli, and the McLarens.
By lap 30, Piastri overtook Antonelli for third place with a clean maneuver.
There would be no more safety cars, and those with one stop on lap 7, pitted again on lap 32, most of them choosing the hard compound to go until the end.
The 28-year-old came out in third place, ready to push with nothing to lose, behind the two McLarens, having to stop once again.
By lap 43, Piastri headed to the pits to switch to the hard tire, leaving Norris at the top and Verstappen in second.
The Briton pitted next, also choosing the hard compound to return in fifth place behind Antonelli, whom he could only overtake for fourth, when the Italian made a mistake, going wide with one lap remaining.
Verstappen crossed the finish line in first place, a feat most deemed impossible, but you never can count him out.
Antonelli claimed fifth, teammate George Russell ended sixth, Alonso in seventh, and Scuderia Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc scored two points for the Prancing Horse in eighth place.
Racing Bulls’ Liam Lawson finished ninth, and Red Bull Yuki Tsunoda collected one point, rounding up the Top 10.
In the hunt for a fifth F1 world championship, he erased a 104-point deficit to former championship leader Piastri since the summer break, remaining in contention against the odds.
Following wins in Italy, Azerbaijan, the United States, and Las Vegas (previously won in Japan and Emilia-Romagna), the defending champion closed the gap, tying Piastri at 366 points and Norris atop on a 390-point tally.
After today’s grand prix, Verstappen stands second in the overall drivers’ standings (396 points), just 12 behind leader Norris (408).
Disappointed Piastri stated: “Clearly, we didn’t get it right tonight. I drove the best race I could as fast as I could, and there was nothing left out there, so I tried my best. It wasn’t to be tonight, unfortunately.
“I think in hindsight it’s pretty obvious what we would’ve done. I’m sure we’ll discuss it as a team.”
He leaves Lusail City with 392 points, dropping to third place.
The title fight will go down to the season finale at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix with 25 points on the line.
Meanwhile, the Red Bull racer further assessed his chances: “It is all possible now. On pure pace, we will not win in Abu Dhabi; we will need something like today or a bit more luck.
“We have to be realistic about that, but we will see, it keeps things exciting. I am not worrying too much about it.”
Each of the three contenders for the crown has claimed seven victories this season.