Max Verstappen, three-time Formula 1 champion: from child prodigy to dominant racer
On the day the sprint took place, Dutch driver Max Verstappen, driving for Red Bull, had already secured the mathematical title as a three-time Formula 1 world champion. He closed the weekend by winning the Qatar Grand Prix, the seventeenth round of the season, held at the Lusail circuit on Sunday, with Fernando Alonso of Aston Martin finishing in sixth place.
Verstappen, who just turned 26, recorded his fourteenth victory of the year and his forty-ninth in F1 competition. He crossed the finish line at Lusail, also setting the fastest lap, to move ahead of Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris on the final standings. Piastri, coming off a strong debut season in F1, claimed second place this Sunday after sprinting on Saturday, while Norris completed the podium. The race was marked by extreme heat and humidity, and there were no Spaniards among the participants this time. Carlos Sainz, Ferrari, had recently disclosed a fuel-system issue with his car. Sergio Pérez, Red Bull, finished in ninth place but dropped to tenth following a third penalty for breaching track limits.
Verstappen was guided to the podium by his team as soon as he arrived at the track. He had already secured his third consecutive championship before the sprint concluded on Saturday. Pérez faced intense pressure from Alpine’s Esteban Ocon, who finished seventh, and Haas’ Nico Hülkenberg. Pérez retired from the race after a challenging run and ended up eleventh overall in the 19-lap race that followed.
Despite sealing the crown, Verstappen remained a factor throughout the sprint, finishing a strong second behind Piastri, who highlighted his remarkable progress as a recent podium finisher in Japan. Verstappen led most practice times, with Piastri briefly overtaking him in the second quarter on Friday before Verstappen reclaimed the top spot. The event unfolded under a tightly managed schedule and dynamic tire strategy as teams prepared for changing track conditions.
An early advisory, issued only hours before the race for safety reasons, dictated that certain tires could not endure more than 18 laps. This rule effectively mandated at least three pit stops per driver as the race was designed for a total of 57 laps. After the first and sole Friday practice, Pirelli, the sole tire supplier, confirmed that tires used beyond 20 laps did not meet safety parameters. As a precaution, track boundaries at two corners of the Lusail circuit were widened, given the abrasive nature of the surrounding pianos near corners 12 and 13. Race officials also warned that rules could change on race day.
The revised tire strategy opened up a wider range of viable approaches. The 18-lap limit pertained to new tires, while longer-runs with older tires allowed teams to push further, creating a challenging and fluid race. The event proved demanding, with several stops and a high tempo that some drivers described as the toughest of their careers. George Russell, driving for Mercedes and finishing fourth, called it the most trying race of his life, reflecting the relentless pace and frequent tactical decisions required by the conditions.
Alonso, speaking after the podium ceremonies, conveyed a mix of pride and melancholy. He started fourth, alongside Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes, with the British veteran chasing more wins in a season that tested every element of strategy and pace. Behind Verstappen and Russell, Charles Leclerc of Ferrari finished in a position that matched his qualifying expectations, while Piastri secured a notable second place in the standings during a year of rapid development. Norris, starting from tenth, and the McLaren team faced further competitive challenges, with Alpine’s Esteban Ocon and Valtteri Bottas of Alfa Romeo finishing among the upper positions as well.
In the rival category, Carlos Sainz began from twelfth but Ferrari announced prior to the start that the team would not participate due to a fuel leak in the car. Pérez, known for his aggressive driving style and perseverance, was forced to negotiate from the pit lane after mechanical issues complicated repairs on the prior day. The race remained tense and unpredictable, underscoring Verstappen’s consistency at the top of the sport and the ongoing evolution of the grid as teams chase both immediate results and season-long glory.
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