Formula 1 in Qatar: Max Verstappen crashes the papaya party

The Formula 1 title race is going into extra time. With his seventh success this season at the Qatar Grand Prix, defending champion Max Verstappen not only draws level with his McLaren rivals Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri in terms of victories – he also gave the opposing duo a big slap in the face. Again with friendly support from the McLaren command post, which tactically slowed down its drivers. Piastri crossed the finish line in second place, but favorite Norris only came in fourth. With 25 points still to be gained, Norris now leads by just 408 points ahead of Verstappen (396) and Piastri (392). In letters: everything is open again.

The congratulatory message from Verstappen’s race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase over the pit radio was also a threat to McLaren: “Fantastic, Max. We’ll fight until the end!” Red Bull managing director Oliver Mintzlaff stammered on Sky–Microphone: “Incredible! The dream continues.” The outstanding Verstappen praised his team: “That was clever – and smart. Now everything is possible.” And Piastri expressed the whole McLaren mood: “That’s hard to swallow.”

The starting row in Qatar provided the perfect scenario for an elimination race for the world title. Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris in the front row, together against each other. Lurking behind him, according to his position in the points table, was world champion Max Verstappen. A three-way battle of superlatives, with two daring people and an administrator. There are enough tactical variables, just because the tires are limited to 25 laps, which automatically means two stops for a total distance. In addition, there is a high probability of a safety car and the few chances of overtaking on the Losail International Circuit, which is designed as a motorcycle racing track.

But first of all it’s the ability to react that counts, then the chutzpah before the first corner, which bends to the right a good 300 meters after the start straight. Verstappen, who had the least to lose, took the most risk and was able to slip past Norris in the slipstream of Oscar Piastri. The Australian got out of the crisis in the desert: pole position and victory in the sprint race, then also fastest in qualifying.

During the safety car phase, McLaren did not bring in at least one driver – perhaps a consequence of the cramped equality regulations

Verstappen, ennobled by McLaren team boss Zak Brown as an “actor from a horror film” (“You think he’s outside, then suddenly he’s there again”), maximized his minimal chance. For the Dutchman, it could only be about victory. In order to calm down his restless Red Bull Honda, he even changed the engine again. The good vibrations However, Piastri was the one who seemed to be moving away at will. But that only lasted seven laps, then the safety car came out after Nico Hülkenberg’s unsuccessful overtaking maneuver. Of the favorites, only Verstappen immediately turned off to change tires and rejoined the line in third, a huge time advantage.

A tactical mistake on the part of the discouraged McLaren command post not to have waved in at least one of the two drivers. Perhaps also a consequence of the cramped equality regulations – in order to not advantage anyone and thereby disadvantage both. Norris also immediately complained to his race engineer: “We should have followed Max, right?” The two Papaya pilots were forced to make up for the tactical error and gain as many seconds as possible. Increased stress for people and material. The strategists made light of the situation: “The others have lost all flexibility.” This added further tactical tension to the monotony of the convoy journey.

Following the tire protection rule for the grueling track in Qatar, the McLaren had to come in on lap 25 at the latest and then merge back into traffic. Leader Piastri was waved in first, while Norris stayed out for a free lap. After perfect pit stops we went back in fourth and fifth place. But the McLarens managed better than expected on fresh tires, Piastri pushed himself back into third place before everyone else drove into the pits. Norris had a little more problems on the way forward. Red Bull faked a stop, but had Verstappen do one more lap to get as much out of it as possible. The Dutchman finished just behind the McLaren duo on lap 33.

This all came to a head at the end of the race: Verstappen was able to drive through, the other two had to stop again. In the end it should be a matter of seconds. The McLaren drivers became nervous, they knew about their opponent’s advantage and discussed heatedly over the pit radio. Norris even went for a ride, and the tires heated up during the desperate hunt for time. Verstappen was instructed to keep a safe distance in order to take off at the end.

Piastri couldn’t wait any longer and got new rubber earlier than expected on the 43rd lap. And Norris was used to hold off Verstappen, who had come within half a second. New pressure conditions constantly arose. Then Norris came, Verstappen had a free ride and the so-called clean air. The box pushed him verbally: “You can go full throttle!” After twelve laps he was still 15 seconds ahead of Piastri and over 25 seconds ahead of Norris. McLaren boss Zak Brown was right: For his team this is sheer sporting horror. Or, from Verstappen’s point of view: pure joy. His chance of defending his title is greater than ever.