Max Verstappen wins the Qatar Grand Prix and postpones the decision in the Formula 1 title fight. The world champion benefits from a tactical error by his two title rivals.
30.11.2025, 18:36
30.11.2025, 19:02
SDA
Verstappen unexpectedly outpaced his rivals in the McLaren that started ahead of him in the Red Bull on Sunday. Sprint winner Oscar Piastri finished second, while championship leader Lando Norris was unable to finish higher than fourth in the penultimate race of the season after a suboptimal pit stop tactic by the team. The podium was surprisingly completed by Williams driver Carlos Sainz in third place for the second time this season.
This means that the three-way championship battle will come down to a showdown in Abu Dhabi. Norris was unable to capitalize on his first "match point" and is now only twelve points ahead of defending champion Verstappen. Piastri, who started from pole position, is 16 points behind Norris ahead of the final Grand Prix next Sunday.
Verstappen, who was 104 points behind three months ago and kept his chances of a fifth consecutive world title alive, celebrated his third Grand Prix victory in a row and the 70th of his career at the Lusail International Circuit.
McLaren's poker went wrong
The fact that the fascinating title fight continues to come to a head is due to a strategic mistake by McLaren. The English racing team, which has the fastest car in the field this year and has already been the constructors' world champion for almost two months, did not bring its two drivers into the pits when Nico Hülkenberg in the Sauber caused the race to be neutralized with his retirement on lap 7. During the safety car phase, almost the entire rest of the field changed tires - and hardly lost any time in the process.
Although Piastri and Norris subsequently took first and second place, unlike their rivals, they had to make two more mandatory stops before the chequered flag after 57 laps. The reason for this was the maximum tire limit of 25 laps per set imposed by Pirelli and the FIA for safety reasons, which had a significant impact on the strategic options in Qatar.
Although McLaren had the fastest cars on the Lusail International Circuit, the pace was not sufficient to compensate for the resulting handicap. While Piastri still managed to finish in second place, Norris dropped back behind Carlos Sainz and Kimi Antonelli in the Mercedes after his second tire change. He at least limited the damage with a determined overtaking maneuver against Antonelli.
A podium finish in Abu Dhabi is now enough for Norris to clinch the world championship title after all.
No world championship points for Sauber
There was nothing to be gained for Team Sauber in the second-to-last race under its current name before the team starts next season under the Audi flag. Nico Hülkenberg, who started from 11th on the grid, retired early on after being involved in a collision with Pierre Gasly in the Alpine through no fault of his own. At the start of the seventh lap, the German tried to overtake Gasly on the outside of Turn 1, but there was contact, which resulted in Hülkenberg's retirement. Gabriel Bortoleto finished the race in 13th place, clearly missing out on the points.
