Max Verstappen kept his championship bid alive with victory in the Qatar Grand Prix as a late strategic twist transformed the fight for the 2025 title into a three-way battle heading to Abu Dhabi. Verstappen beat Oscar Piastri to the chequered flag while championship leader Lando Norris could only manage fourth, leaving the standings at Norris 408, Verstappen 396 and Piastri 392.
The race-defining moment came on lap seven when Nico Hülkenberg and Pierre Gasly collided at Turn One, bringing out the Safety Car. Verstappen, running third at the time behind McLaren team-mates Piastri and Norris, dived into the pits for fresh tyres; McLaren elected to keep both cars out. A special Pirelli rule for the Qatar weekend limited any one tyre set to 25 laps, so the Safety Car stop effectively offered a ‘free’ pit for those who boxed, allowing them to stitch together two 25-lap stints and finish with just one more stop. McLaren’s decision meant their drivers still required two scheduled visits and were left vulnerable.
When the race resumed Verstappen, on the fresher rubber and with only one further stop needed, pulled clear. Piastri and Norris extended their stints but rejoined the battle too far behind to challenge for the win. Piastri brought his second stop forward to lap 42 and cut Verstappen’s advantage from about 17 seconds to seven by the finish, but it wasn’t enough.
Piastri was visibly frustrated afterwards, saying he felt ‘speechless’ and that he had left the strategy call to the team. McLaren team principal Andrea Stella acknowledged the decision not to pit under the Safety Car was a mistake, and cited the risk of a costly double-stack in the pits had both cars boxed together.
Verstappen called the victory unexpected but praised his team’s call under the Safety Car and credited tyre management across the long stints for making the result possible.
Carlos Sainz capitalised on McLaren’s strategy error to secure his second podium of the year for Williams, finishing third just under a second ahead of Norris. Kimi Antonelli’s late mistake allowed Norris to reclaim a crucial place and finish fourth; Antonelli took fifth ahead of George Russell, who had lost ground off the start. A late puncture for Isack Hadjar dropped him back and promoted Russell further. Fernando Alonso recovered from a spin to finish seventh, ahead of Charles Leclerc’s lead Ferrari, with Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda completing the top ten. Lewis Hamilton endured another difficult weekend, ending up 12th, and Ferrari’s struggles ensured they remain fourth in the Constructors’ Championship.
Championship top three
1) Lando Norris — McLaren — 408
2) Max Verstappen — Red Bull — 396
3) Oscar Piastri — McLaren — 392
Qatar GP top 10
1) Max Verstappen, Red Bull
2) Oscar Piastri, McLaren
3) Carlos Sainz, Williams
4) Lando Norris, McLaren
5) Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
6) George Russell, Mercedes
7) Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin
8) Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
9) Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls
10) Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull
With only 16 points covering the trio, the title will be decided at the season finale in Abu Dhabi. Norris remains the favourite but his margin for error has narrowed: if Verstappen wins in Abu Dhabi, Norris will need a podium to be certain of the championship. The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix takes place on Sunday 7 December, with the race scheduled to start at 13:00 (build-up from 11:30) and qualifying on the Saturday.