DOHA: Max Verstappen extended the Formula 1 championship fight to the final race of the season after taking advantage of a McLaren strategy error to win the Qatar Grand Prix on Sunday. The Red Bull driver’s decisive pit stop under an early safety car allowed him to triumph convincingly, putting the title race on a knife-edge.
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Verstappen’s victory lifted him to 396 points, 12 behind championship leader Lando Norris, who finished fourth. Oscar Piastri, who started from pole, slipped to third in the standings, 16 points adrift of Norris, with one race remaining in Abu Dhabi next Sunday, where Verstappen has been dominant in recent years.
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“It’s all possible,” said Verstappen, chasing a fifth consecutive world title. Norris, however, still holds a slight advantage and can secure the championship with a podium finish regardless of his rivals’ results. Verstappen finished 7.995 seconds ahead of Piastri, with Carlos Sainz taking third, followed by Norris and the Mercedes pair of Kimi Antonelli and George Russell.
The victory marked Verstappen’s seventh of the season, his third consecutive in Qatar, and the 70th of his career. Red Bull strategist Hannah Schmitz joined him on the podium, highlighting the team’s tactical acumen. Piastri, frustrated by his team’s pit decisions, said: “I’m speechless. I drove the best race I could and there was nothing left out there.”
Max Verstappen WINS the Formula 1 Qatar GP
The final race next week in Abu Dhabi will be a 3-way title fight between Norris, Verstappen and Piastri!#f1 #qatargp #turn1visuals pic.twitter.com/oQ0sznoHZ4— Turn1Visuals (@Turn1Visuals) November 30, 2025
The race saw a safety car on lap seven after Nico Hulkenberg collided with Pierre Gasly, prompting Verstappen’s early pit stop. McLaren’s decision to stay out for a second stop later proved costly, leaving both Norris and Piastri unable to overtake Verstappen despite having the fastest cars on track.
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The error ensured the drivers’ title fight will be decided in Abu Dhabi, setting up a dramatic finale with Verstappen, Norris, and Piastri all in contention.