Max Verstappen won the Qatar Grand Prix after McLaren misjudged key pit stop decisions, keeping the title fight alive. Yuki Tsunoda climbed from fifteenth to tenth, taking an important point in a race shaped by strict tyre limits and an early Safety Car.
Max Verstappen qualified third in Qatar and says McLaren’s speed is so strong that matching their pace would require “a shortcut.” He must finish ahead of Lando Norris to keep the title race alive.
Four cars drop to the pit lane, Tsunoda starts ahead of Verstappen, and teams lean toward a medium-tyre sprint as clear skies set the tone for the night race.
Oscar Piastri won the Qatar sprint with ease, reducing his deficit to Lando Norris while Yuki Tsunoda supported Max Verstappen on lap one, took a penalty, and still secured fifth.
Yuki Tsunoda heads into the Qatar Grand Prix with his future at Red Bull still uncertain, admitting he has “no plan B” and hinting that “most people probably know” where things stand. With Red Bull expected to finalise its 2026 line-up after the weekend, Qatar may be Tsunoda’s final chance to secure his seat.
Max Verstappen says he is “all in” for the final stretch of the 2025 season as he aims to overturn Lando Norris’s 24-point lead and claim a fifth straight F1 title. With 58 points remaining, the Red Bull driver is prepared for an “all-out battle” after a strong late-season comeback.
Helmut Marko says Lando Norris was the major talent Red Bull failed to sign and explains why many young drivers fail to progress in the Red Bull system. Marko emphasises that “talent alone is not enough,” highlighting the mental demands and pressure that define Red Bull’s driver philosophy.
Alex Albon questioned the severity of his five-second penalty for contact with Lewis Hamilton in Las Vegas, arguing the collision was minor and caused no harm. A rare pre-race speeding reprimand and a full radio failure made the Williams driver’s night even more difficult before he retired on lap 35.












