Max Verstappen won the turbulent Qatar Grand Prix. The 27-year-old Dutchman relegated Charles Leclerc in the Ferrari to second place in the eventful Formula 1 race with three safety car phases at the Lusail International Circuit. Oscar Piastri came third in the McLaren ahead of George Russell in the Mercedes. The decision in the fight for the world title in the constructors’ championship was postponed until the season finale in Abu Dhabi after Lando Norris received a penalty while in second place and was ultimately only able to save one point in tenth place.
Thanks to Carlos Sainz, their pursuer Ferrari gained ten points in sixth place. The showdown in a week is 21 points behind – Ferrari has been waiting for the next team title since 2008, McLaren even since 1998.
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“I’m not fast anymore,” complains seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton
The Scuderia’s mandate was clear: together they were not allowed to score more than 15 points less than Norris and Piastri. Also meant: attack right at the start, in which Russell became the big loser. He slips from first place to third until the first corner. Verstappen passed by, as did Norris. Record world champion Lewis Hamilton didn’t just get off to a bad start when he fell from sixth to ninth. He also jerked off too early: “Sorry, boys,” he immediately radioed to the pits. As a punishment, he was given a five-second penalty for the false start in the second Mercedes. It all fit into an already sobering weekend for the 105-time Grand Prix winner. “I’m not fast anymore,” he had to admit after the sprint qualifying. He was too fast in the pit lane during the race, which also resulted in a penalty and Hamilton no longer had a chance of scoring points.
Verstappen, on the other hand, remained in the lead even after a safety car phase. After an accident at the start, in which the German Nico Hülkenberg was also involved in the Haas, the world champion once again gave Norris and the rest no chance at the restart. Behind him, Piastri quickly grabbed Leclerc – the team title mission was in full swing. Nobody was able to overtake on the track at first, and Russell also fell far behind due to a long tire change.
Now the two McLarens pursued Verstappen, followed by the two Ferraris, before a second safety car phase caused a lot of confusion. Hamilton and Sainz each had a puncture. The cause on the high-speed course was initially unclear. There was at least one broken rearview mirror on the start and finish straight. Then Norris sensed his chance: he attacked Verstappen. But he showed who the world champion is. He fought tough but completely fair and defended his lead. But it didn’t take long until the safety car had to come out again: Verstappen’s teammate Sergio Pérez had stopped on the track, as had Hülkenberg in the gravel.
Verstappen also survived the restart number three, and shortly afterwards Norris received a penalty: ten seconds of stop and go. He hadn’t slowed down enough. Second place was gone – and so was the early team title for McLaren.
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