The 2025 Qatar Grand Prix delivered every bit of the drama and intensity expected from one of the season’s most decisive races. Under the lights of the Lusail International Circuit, Max Verstappen put on a commanding performance to take the win, with Oscar Piastri finishing second and Carlos Sainz securing third place after a resilient drive.
Explosive Start: Verstappen Passes Norris Immediately
As the five red lights went out, the action ignited. Verstappen made a critical move right away, overtaking championship leader Lando Norris and jumping into second place. Mercedes driver George Russell had a rough start, dropping three positions.
Further back, Lewis Hamilton surged forward by passing three cars at once, climbing to 14th. Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, however, lost ground after being overtaken by Nico Hülkenberg and fell out of the points.
Hülkenberg Crashes Out, Strategy Shifts
On lap 7, Hülkenberg lost control on his soft tires and crashed into the barriers, forcing him to retire. The resulting yellow flag triggered a wave of pit stops; many drivers—including Verstappen—pitted, while both McLarens stayed out and retained the top positions when racing resumed.
Pit Strategy Shapes the Race
With fresher medium tires, Verstappen closely shadowed the McLarens. On lap 24, Piastri pitted for the first time and rejoined just ahead of Fernando Alonso. Norris pitted one lap later, slotting in behind his teammate and leaving Verstappen in the lead. Sainz and Antonelli followed in second and third.
By lap 30, Piastri overtook Antonelli for third while Norris remained stuck in fifth. By lap 33, every driver except the two McLarens had completed a second pit stop.
Final Phase: Tight Gaps and Relentless Pressure
With 15 laps to go, the gap between Verstappen and Norris dropped to under a second. Piastri, still leading at that moment, made his final stop for hard tires and rejoined in third. Verstappen continued to close the gap, reducing it to half a second.
Norris pitted soon after, avoiding an overtake but rejoining only in fifth place, stuck behind Antonelli.
Sainz Fights Damage, Norris Strikes Late
Despite a damaged floor, Carlos Sainz fought hard to defend third place while Antonelli pushed for a podium finish. On the final lap, Norris finally managed to overtake Antonelli and moved up to fourth.
Verstappen Takes the Desert Win
After 57 laps, Max Verstappen crossed the finish line first, followed by Oscar Piastri, with Carlos Sainz taking the final podium spot.
The Qatar GP reshaped the championship outlook once again, setting the stage for an electrifying season finale.