Max Verstappen kept the 2025 Formula 1 title battle alive after taking full advantage of McLaren’s strategic misstep to win the Qatar Grand Prix on Sunday.
Starting third on the grid, the Red Bull star immediately swept past Lando Norris into Turn 1 to go after pole sitter Oscar Piastri.
It was a relatively quiet race afterward until the turning point happened on Lap 7 when a collision between Nico Hulkenberg and Pierre Gasly triggered a Safety Car.
Almost the entire field dived into the pits for the first of two mandatory tyre changes, but both McLaren drivers stayed out, which proved costly.
By the time both McLaren made their first pit stop, Verstappen went on to control the race and took the chequered flag, cutting Norris’ championship lead to just 12 points as the Briton recovered only to fourth place.
The result means the title will be decided at this week’s season finale in Abu Dhabi, with Piastri also in the mix after finishing second in Doha to be further four points in the standings.
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“This was an incredible race for us. We made the right call there as a team to box under that Safety Car,” Verstappen said post-race.
“[I am] super happy to win here [and] we stay in the fight ‘til the end.”
Asked about McLaren’s decision not to pit during the Safety Car, the Dutch driver admitted he felt it was “an interesting move”.
“I knew that then we had a bit of a gap but still you need to keep the tyres alive for 25 laps as well. The wear is very high around here, but luckily it all worked out,” he added.
Meanwhile, Piastri lamented the wrong strategy call in response to the Safety Car.
“Clearly, we didn’t get it right tonight. I drove the best race that I could [but] there was nothing left out there. So tried my best, but it wasn’t to be tonight unfortunately,” said the Australian.
“I think in hindsight it’s pretty obvious what we would have done [during the Safety Car], but I’m sure we’ll discuss it as a team.”
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