The day after obtaining his third Formula 1 world champion title, Max Verstappen scored another victory on Sunday at the Qatar Grand Prix.
Starting from pole, Verstappen kept that first place until the end, securing his 14th victory of the season.
Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris saw the checkered flag in second and third, securing a double podium for McLaren.
“My first stint did my race, and then I could control my pace to make sure the tires were in the right window for use,” Verstappen analyzed. But the McLarens were fast again. I had to push [pour obtenir la victoire]. It was a really tough race on the track. »
Party 16eQuebecer Lance Stroll took advantage of the intervention of the safety car on the first lap to make a first pit stop.
This alternative strategy allowed him to see the finish in ninth place, but he received two five-second penalties for exceeding the limits of the track. The Aston Martin driver finally finished 11thewhile Fernando Alonso finished sixth.
The two Mercedes of George Russell and Lewis Hamilton started behind Verstappen as the red lights went out, but got stuck in the first corner.
With Hamilton on his left and Verstappen on his right, Russell had nowhere to go when his teammate began his turn. The maneuver sent the two Mercedes into the gravel. Hamilton’s race ended at this point.
Alonso and Charles Leclerc had to slow down to avoid the accident and Piastri took the opportunity to overtake them.
This second position is the latest result in an impressive streak for Piastri, who reached the podium for the first time in Japan two weeks ago and who won the sprint race in Qatar on Saturday.
The Australian rookie told his team it was “probably the hardest race of my life”, adding thanks to “whoever bowled at the first corner”, in reference to the Mercedes collision.
Norris achieved a fourth consecutive podium, but he remains in search of a first career victory.
Concerns about the durability of the tires forced the FIA to limit stints to 18 laps per set of tires. This directive forced drivers to make at least three stops, playing an important role in strategy.
Piastri enjoyed this “57 qualifying lap” race, as frequent stops meant drivers did not need to take care of their tyres.
Verstappen finished the race one lap ahead of his Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez. The Mexican, who started the race from the pit line, finished 10e.
Perez won two of the first four races of the season, but has not won since. He is still second in the drivers’ standings, but has only collected five points in the last three GPs.
Carlos Sainz Jr., the only winner this year who does not drive a Red Bull, was not at the start. Ferrari said a problem with the fuel system was detected. It must have been 12e on the starting grid.