VERSTAPPEN KEEPS TITLE HOPES ALIVE IN DRAMATIC QATAR GP
At the 2025 Qatar Grand Prix, Max Verstappen snatched a vital victory and with it, a lifeline in the championship fight.
Starting third on the grid, Verstappen benefited from a gamble gone wrong by McLaren. When a safety car wiped out the field, both McLaren drivers stayed out, unlike most of the pack, including Verstappen.
That call cost McLaren dearly, and allowed Verstappen to leap into the lead and hold on for the win.
McLaren’s top‑cos leaderboard looked strong after qualifying. Oscar Piastri had secured pole and earlier won the sprint race, trimming the gap to McLaren team‑mate Lando Norris. But in Sunday’s Grand Prix, Piastri finished second and Norris fourth after a late overtake.
That result shakes up the title race dramatically. All three contenders, Verstappen, Piastri and Norris, now bring seven wins to the season.
Norris still leads going into the finale in 2025 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, but with only a slim margin.
McLaren boss Zak Brown admitted his team got the strategy wrong, while Verstappen was full of praise for Red Bull’s call.
With nothing decided yet, the season finale at Yas Marina in Dubai promises to be one of the most intense finales in recent memory.
Image credit: GPFans