VERSTAPPEN WINS IN QATAR TO TAKE TITLE FIGHT TO THE FINAL RACE

Formula One arrived in Lusail, Qatar for the penultimate round of 2025 with Lando Norris needing to outscore Verstappen and Piastri by just two points to claim his maiden World Championship. However it was Max Verstappen who came out on top to put himself in second going into Abu Dhabi, Piastri finished second but now sits third in the table having lead the charge for several rounds previously while title leader Lando Norris could only manage fourth while former McLaren teammate Carlos Sainz claimed his second podium for Williams.

It was a brilliant start for Piastri who got away best with Verstappen moving up to second with Lando Norris dropping down to third, in a race he really needed to win. The Mercedes of Antonelli took fourth place ahead of Carlos Sainz in fifth.

Seven laps in the Sauber of Nico Hulkenberg crashed having made contact with Gasly.

The Safety Car is deployed, with everyone but the two McLaren’s take the free stop under the Safety Car, which would ultimately help Verstappen to victory.

Hulkenberg went for the overtake on the outside of the corner and clipped the front wheel of the Alpine and his rear wheel is ripped off. 

We get the green flag on lap ten, as Piastri keeps the lead with Norris second and Verstappen third after his pit stop.

The Haas of Ollie Bearman was forced to retire after forty seven laps.

The race was seemingly ruined by the introduction of tyres that only last a maximum of twenty five laps, taking away the strategy element of the race. A race which could have been so much more exciting but for the restricted tyres.

It seemed like there were only two on track overtakes in this race with the Hulkenberg move on Gasly and the overtake Norris made on Antonelli for fourth place on the penultimate lap.

The next race is the title decider in Abu Dhabi.

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