Verstappen’s Qatar Win Sets Up a Three-Way Finale
What a dramatic twist the 2025 Formula 1 season has taken after an eventful Qatar Grand Prix, a race that felt like it had everything—strategy gambles, unexpected podiums, and a title fight that has now been pushed right to the wire. The spotlight was on McLaren coming into the weekend, especially after Oscar Piastri grabbed pole and the team showed blistering pace throughout practice and qualifying. On paper, this looked like their race to lose. Unfortunately for them… that’s exactly what happened.
The pivotal moment arrived early, around lap seven, when a safety car was deployed following a collision involving Pierre Gasly and Nico Hülkenberg. While almost the entire field dove into the pits, McLaren made the bold call to stay out with both cars. It was a decision defended at first—after all, when you're leading, you’re reacting blind to the rest of the grid—but once every rival committed to fresh tyres, McLaren found themselves on the wrong side of strategy. That call became the defining moment of the race.
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Max Verstappen and Red Bull immediately capitalised. Their choice to pit under the safety car proved decisive, giving Verstappen the tyre offset and track position he needed. From there, even though Verstappen admitted he didn’t have the raw pace to match McLaren this weekend, the race came to him. With consistent management and a bit of luck, he secured a win that not only keeps his title hopes alive but actually strengthens them heading into Abu Dhabi.
Oscar Piastri did everything he could. His drive was described as flawless—fast, controlled, and committed—but there was simply no recovering from the missed pit window. He finished second, but with the smallest hint of frustration in his voice afterward. It was the race that slipped away. Carlos Sainz, meanwhile, was the unexpected star. Starting seventh in a Williams and finishing on the podium, he delivered what he called a “perfect race,” taking advantage of every opportunity that unfolded.
Lando Norris salvaged what he could, grabbing fourth late after pressuring Kimi Antonelli into a wide moment. But even that wasn’t enough to stop Verstappen from overtaking him in the championship standings.
So here we are: one race left, and three drivers separated by just 16 points. Norris leads with 408, Verstappen follows with 396, and Piastri sits right behind on 392. One final showdown in Abu Dhabi. Anything can happen—and after Qatar, it feels like everything will.
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