Ben Anderson ranks all 20 F1 drivers based on their performance at the 2025 Qatar Grand Prix, highlighting Verstappen's win, Sainz's impressive drive, and Stroll's poor weekend, with detailed assessments of each driver's weekend performance.
Lewis Hamilton was surprised to learn that Max Verstappen won the Qatar Grand Prix and is now only 12 points behind in the F1 drivers' championship, highlighting the unpredictable nature of the title race and Hamilton's lack of real-time race updates due to limited screens at the track.
Red Bull's Hannah Schmitz defied skepticism to pit Max Verstappen during the Qatar GP safety car restart, a decision that contributed to Verstappen's victory and title contention, contrasting with McLaren's unexpected decision to stay out, possibly due to their 'papaya rules' for driver fairness.
Max Verstappen won the Qatar Grand Prix, moving closer to the F1 title, with Piastri finishing second and Norris fourth; the championship will be decided in Abu Dhabi next week.
The starting grid for the 2025 Qatar Grand Prix features the top three title contenders in the first three positions, with Oscar Piastri on pole, Lando Norris second, and Max Verstappen third, setting the stage for a potential championship decider in Qatar.
Max Verstappen and George Russell's rivalry has intensified following a controversial incident at the Qatar Grand Prix, where Verstappen received a grid penalty for allegedly slow driving. The tension escalated with both drivers exchanging insults, with Verstappen calling Russell a "liar" and Russell accusing Verstappen of crossing a line. Despite the heated exchanges, Verstappen joked about the situation at a fan event, suggesting that they will eventually resolve their differences.
Mercedes F1 driver George Russell claims that Red Bull's Max Verstappen threatened to crash into him after a stewards' meeting at the Qatar Grand Prix, accusing Verstappen of bullying behavior. Verstappen denies making such a threat, calling Russell a "backstabber" and a "loser" for his comments. The incident highlights ongoing tensions between the two drivers, with Russell criticizing Verstappen's aggressive on-track conduct and its influence on young drivers. Red Bull declined to comment on the allegations.
Max Verstappen has denied George Russell's claim that he threatened to crash into him during a stewards' hearing after the Qatar Grand Prix. The feud between the two drivers has intensified at the Abu Dhabi GP, with Verstappen accusing Russell of exaggerating the incident. Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff also criticized Red Bull's Christian Horner for his comments on the penalty that cost Verstappen pole position in Qatar. Both drivers have stated they do not intend to resolve their differences.
The feud between Max Verstappen and George Russell escalated after the Qatar Grand Prix, where Verstappen received a grid penalty for slowing in front of Russell during qualifying. The incident intensified their rivalry, with both drivers openly criticizing each other. Verstappen accused Russell of lying to the stewards, while Russell claimed Verstappen threatened him. The tension continued into the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, with Verstappen labeling Russell a 'backstabber' and dismissing any chance of reconciliation.
Formula One teams are urging the FIA to reassess its penalty system after Lando Norris received a severe 10-second stop-go penalty at the Qatar Grand Prix for not slowing under yellow flags, which significantly affected his race outcome. McLaren and other teams criticized the FIA's decision-making process, calling for more consistency and transparency. The incident, involving new race director Rui Marques, has intensified scrutiny on the FIA's governance, with concerns about its impact on the sport's reputation.
Lando Norris faced a severe penalty at the Qatar Grand Prix for not slowing down under double yellow flags, a situation exacerbated by race control's delayed response to a loose wing mirror on Alexander Albon's car. The incident, which should have prompted an immediate Safety Car deployment, led to chaos and punctures for other drivers. Norris's penalty, served 14 laps after the incident, significantly impacted his race, highlighting inconsistencies in race management and raising questions about the Williams car's safety standards.
Max Verstappen expressed his disappointment and loss of respect for George Russell after a stewards' hearing in Qatar, where Verstappen received a one-place grid penalty for allegedly impeding Russell during qualifying. Despite the penalty, Verstappen won the race, while Russell finished fourth. Verstappen criticized the decision, feeling unfairly penalized for trying to be considerate on track, and was surprised by Russell's role in the incident.
Lando Norris received a 10-second stop-go penalty at the Qatar Grand Prix for failing to slow for double-waved yellow flags, which the FIA deemed a serious safety compromise. This penalty, the most severe before disqualification, was in line with guidelines issued to teams earlier in the year. The incident involved debris from Alex Albon's car, which led to punctures for other drivers and eventually a safety car deployment. The FIA plans to review the situation to determine if future actions should differ.
Max Verstappen showcased his resilience and skill by winning the Qatar Grand Prix despite a controversial one-place penalty that stripped him of pole position. Verstappen's determination was evident as he overcame handling issues with his Red Bull car and strategically outmaneuvered competitors like George Russell and Lando Norris. The victory, his 63rd career win, was further solidified when Norris received a penalty for failing to slow under yellow flags, allowing Verstappen to secure an undisputed win.