To find out the name of the F1 2025 world champion, we'll have to wait one more week. The victory Max Verstappen snatched in Qatar, thanks to Red Bull's excellent strategy, ruined McLaren's plans. But, actually, the latter got into trouble on its own by stopping between laps 24 and 25. then again between laps 43 and 45 after missing the pit stop with the Safety Car, which had entered for the accident between Hulkenberg and Gasly at the beginning of the race.
This ended up in a very angry and disappointed Oscar Piastri, who came in second, and with Lando Norris, who's still the overall leader, but just twelve lengths ahead of the Dutch rider, who was only fourth. Also benefiting from the papaya mess was Carlos Sainz, third and more motivated and determined than ever to give Williams a new podium after those in Baku and the Texas Sprint.
Fifth place for Andrea Antonelli's Mercedes, which was overtaken by the leader a few kilometers from the checkered flag, followed by his pit neighbor's, George Russell, and Fernando Alonso's Aston Martin. Graced by Isack Hadjar's withdrawal in the closing stages, Charles Leclerc's Ferrari finished eighth after a totally bland GP, as did Lewis Hamilton's, coming in twelfth. Completing the points zone were Liam Lawson's racing Bulls and Yuki Tsunoda's Red Bull.
"It was an incredible race, especially since it came on a complicated weekend. We guessed right in making the stop with the SC," the winner stated.
"Clearly, we made a mistake. I tried to be as fast as I could, but it wasn't enough. In hindsight, we should've stopped. We'll discuss it with the team. At the moment, it's hard to digest," the Australian said with dismay.
"I'm proud of the team. We had come here convinced it was going to be the toughest weekend of the championship and, instead, we're coming out of it with a podium. We nailed the strategy and the start. We did everything right today," Carlitos commented.
For all the details, here's the link to Motorsport.com.
