Max Verstappen regained the lead at the first corner and did not let go of the lead until he crossed the finish line, taking his ninth win of the season. Despite on-track challenges, such as the accidents of Colapinto and Ocon, and the penalties that marked the race, the Dutchman managed the chaos masterfully. Leclerc and Piastri completed the podium after a race defined by safety cars and crucial strategic decisions.
However, Verstappen’s victory was accompanied by controversy. The Red Bull driver expressed his displeasure at Saturday’s penalty, accusing George Russell of acting inappropriately during the meeting with the stewards. ‘I’ve lost respect for him’, Verstappen said, criticising his rival’s attitude. In addition, the Dutchman pointed out that Lando Norris did not slow down during the double yellow flags, resulting in the McLaren driver receiving a penalty.
Alonso takes advantage of the opportunities
Fernando Alonso shone in the chaotic Qatar Grand Prix, where Aston Martin opted for an innovative strategy that allowed him to finish seventh. After a good qualifying, the race was complicated for the Spaniard due to a power problem in his car, which caused him to lose several positions at the start. However, he took advantage of the opportunities offered by the race, such as the retirements of other drivers and Norris’ penalty, to recover positions.
The team surprised with a double pit stop, a risky decision but one that proved crucial to their performance. Alonso admitted that he had not expected such a positive result, stressing how important it was not to give up despite the difficulties they had faced in previous races. The Spaniard was pleased to score valuable points, especially after a run of no points.
Incidents, sanctions and rivalries
The Qatar GP was action-packed from the start, with collisions such as Colapinto and Ocon, penalties such as Norris’ stop and go, and a series of incidents that altered the race, including several retirements and the intervention of the safety car at key moments.
Zhou Guanyu managed to make history for Sauber, scoring the team’s first points of the season with a solid performance in the messy GP. His effort was crucial in keeping Alfa Romeo in the fight for the constructors’ championship, despite the challenges.
Meanwhile, the duel between Ferrari and McLaren heated up even more ahead of the final race of the year. McLaren continues to prove that it has one of the fastest cars in the second half of the season, while Ferrari, albeit with ups and downs, remains a strong contender. This clash promises to be crucial in the battle for the constructors’ runner-up spot, with both teams knowing that every point counts in securing a better place in the overall standings.
