Verstappen Wins Qatar GP, Title Race Goes to Abu Dhabi Finale

Verstappen Wins Qatar GP to Set Up Final-Race Showdown

Max Verstappen stormed to victory at the Qatar Grand Prix, taking full advantage of a controversial McLaren strategy blunder, and setting up a thrilling three-way title decider with Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri in Abu Dhabi.

Title Battle Wide Open

• Winner: Max Verstappen (Red Bull)

• 2nd: Oscar Piastri (McLaren)

• 3rd: Carlos Sainz (Williams)

• 4th: Lando Norris (McLaren)

Norris now leads the championship by just 12 points over Verstappen, with Piastri four points further back heading into the Abu Dhabi finale (5-7 December).

McLaren Strategy Costs Victory

McLaren’s race-defining mistake came during an early safety car on lap 7, after a crash between Gasly and Hulkenberg. While every other team opted to pit and lock in track position, McLaren stayed out, hoping to retain strategic flexibility.

The result?

• Piastri and Norris lost the lead to Verstappen after later pit stops.

• Piastri attempted an aggressive undercut with 15 laps to go, but couldn’t catch the Dutchman.

• Norris struggled, even nearly crashing, and had to fight back to P4 after a late overtake on Kimi Antonelli.

Piastri: “No words. We didn’t get it right tonight… tough to swallow.”

Verstappen: “We made the smart call. Now we fight in Abu Dhabi.”

Norris: “Wrong decision. As soon as it happened, it was obvious.”

Top 10 Finishers – Qatar Grand Prix

Championship Picture Before Abu Dhabi

• Lando Norris — Leads by 12 points

• Max Verstappen — Must win in Abu Dhabi and hope Norris finishes lower than 3rd

• Oscar Piastri — Still in the fight, four points behind Verstappen

McLaren’s Error Explained

• All teams were forced into 2-stop strategies due to Pirelli’s 25-lap tyre limit.

• McLaren skipped the first pit stop during the safety car to avoid stacking both drivers.

• This decision backfired as they couldn’t build a big enough gap before pitting later.

Piastri still managed to finish second, but should have comfortably won.

What’s Next?

The title decider at Abu Dhabi’s Yas Marina Circuit will take place from 5-7 December.

• Will Norris secure his first F1 championship?

• Can Verstappen pull off a final-round comeback?

• Or will Piastri spoil the party?

The answers will come in Formula 1’s season finale, promising a dramatic climax to a sensational season.