Verstappen claims victory at the Qatar Grand Prix after dominant performance

Verstappen claims victory at the Qatar Grand Prix after dominant performance
Formula One F1 - Sao Paulo Grand Prix - Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace, Sao Paulo, Brazil - November 3, 2024 Red Bull's Max Verstappen after winning the Sao Paulo Grand Prix
Reuters

Red Bull’s Max Verstappen triumphed at the Qatar Grand Prix, overtaking McLaren’s Oscar Piastri for victory, while Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz Jr. completed the podium in Doha.

Max Verstappen delivered a masterclass at the Qatar Grand Prix on Sunday, taking advantage of McLaren’s qualifying mishap and Red Bull’s superior race pace to claim victory and tighten the Formula 1 title race.

Verstappen’s triumph — his third consecutive win in Qatar — brings the championship battle to a thrilling, season-ending showdown in Abu Dhabi next weekend. The Red Bull driver now sits just 12 points behind Lando Norris after the Briton finished fourth, while Oscar Piastri’s second-place finish moved him to third overall, only four points behind Verstappen.

Starting from third, Verstappen swiftly moved past front-row starters Piastri and Norris, establishing control in the early laps and never looking back. McLaren’s Piastri, who had taken pole after Norris ran wide in his final qualifying attempt and also won the Saturday sprint, fought valiantly but couldn’t match Verstappen’s relentless pace under the Qatari night sky.

Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz Jr. capitalised on Norris’s struggles to secure third place, marking an impressive recovery drive and another strong result for the Scuderia. Norris, meanwhile, slipped down the order after a difficult opening stint, leaving his championship lead vulnerable ahead of the decisive race.

“This was a perfect race for us,” Verstappen said. “The strategy, the pace — everything worked. Now it’s about keeping the momentum for the finale.”

With Verstappen’s latest victory, all three title contenders — Norris, Verstappen, and Piastri — now have seven wins each this season, setting the stage for one of the closest and most competitive finishes in recent Formula 1 history.

Tags