The Qatar Grand Prix delivered a decisive shift in the closing stages of the 2025 Formula One season. Max Verstappen took victory from third on the grid after McLaren’s race strategy faltered at key moments. Oscar Piastri finished second and Lando Norris placed fourth, ensuring that the championship remains undecided heading into Abu Dhabi. Verstappen now retains a realistic chance of securing a fifth consecutive title despite entering the weekend at a significant points deficit.
The race was shaped by the regulation that limited each tyre set to a maximum of twenty five laps. The early Safety Car on lap seven, triggered by contact between Nico Hulkenberg and Pierre Gasly, forced the field into a compressed strategy window. Most drivers elected to pit immediately, including Verstappen, who had already passed Norris into second place at the start. McLaren chose not to pit either car under the Safety Car, a decision that later placed them at a strategic disadvantage.
The turning point arrived on lap twenty four, when McLaren brought Piastri into the pits first. Norris remained on track with clear air, attempting to extend his stint. He rejoined narrowly ahead of Fernando Alonso but was unable to regain ground on Verstappen. Piastri switched to hard tyres again on lap forty three, followed by Norris one lap later, cementing their positions behind the Red Bull. Verstappen controlled the race from that point and won by nearly eight seconds.
Piastri’s frustration was evident on the radio when told he needed to find an extra second per lap to challenge for the lead. His second place felt like a missed opportunity given his pole position. Norris salvaged fourth after passing Andrea Kimi Antonelli late in the race, a move that could matter significantly in the final points calculation.
Carlos Sainz delivered one of the strongest drives of the evening. He moved into third under the Safety Car and held the position despite floor damage. His result gave Williams its second podium in consecutive races, highlighting the team’s progress. Antonelli finished fifth after an off track moment late in the race, followed by George Russell in sixth and Fernando Alonso in seventh after a spin cost him two places.
Yuki Tsunoda produced a steady recovery from fifteenth to tenth. His early loss of positions was offset by the pit lane traffic under the Safety Car, which helped him rise to twelfth. Errors from rivals contributed as well, notably a slow stop for Oliver Bearman. Tsunoda settled behind Liam Lawson for much of the race but gained one final position when Isaac Hajar suffered a late puncture and retired. The point he earned may prove meaningful in the team battle as the season closes.
Charles Leclerc secured eighth place after a quiet race, and Hülkenberg retired early due to collision damage. Lewis Hamilton started on soft tyres alongside Hülkenberg, advanced several places in the opening laps and finished twelfth behind Alex Albon. Esteban Ocon received a jump start penalty and finished fifteenth. Gasly, despite his early contact, reached the finish in sixteenth. Lance Stroll attempted a three stop strategy but retired after a penalty and a late decision to return to the garage.
The outcome sets the stage for a decisive finale in Abu Dhabi. Verstappen remains within reach, while Norris leads with a narrow margin that leaves no room for error. The Qatar result was shaped by strategy, timing and tyre limits. The final round will demand similar precision from both contenders.
