Ever since the 2023 Miami Grand Prix, Max Verstappen and Oracle Red Bull Racing have been on another planet, even compared to his teammate and closest championship challenger, Sergio Perez, going on a brutal streak of 10 consecutive wins. By that point, it was almost an inevitability and at the 2023 Formula One Qatar Grand Prix, Verstappen clinched his third world drivers’ title. In fact, it was already sealed with a second-place finish in the sprint, but Verstappen capped off the weekend with a dominant drive in the main race. Like in Japan, it was the two McLarens occupying the other two podium slots, but it was Oscar Piastri in second place and Lando Norris in third place, with the former also scoring his first-ever sprint win on Saturday.
How the race transpired
The race weekend was anything but straightforward as extreme heat, excessive tyre wear as well as tyre safety concerns thanks to the kerbs on the Lusail International Circuit meant the FIA mandated a three-stop race stint distances not going beyond 18 laps. That wasn’t the end of it as a chaotic start meant the two Mercedes of seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton and George Russell made contact into the first corner, wiping out the former, while the latter was forced into an early pitstop, dropping him down to 18th and last of the field.
Nevertheless, Russell scythed his way through the field to finish a commendable fourth in the end. Meanwhile up front, Verstappen had things under control with Piastri closely shadowing the Dutchman. Lando Norris managed to claw his way up to the podium, finishing third after starting 10th on the grid.
Now that the drivers’ title is all wrapped up, the fight is on for second position as Verstappen’s teammate Sergio Perez sits 30 points ahead of seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton in the Mercedes. In the constructors’ standings, McLaren are rapidly catching up to Aston Martin for fourth place in the standings with the former just 11 points behind thanks to their recent double podium finish. Next up is the 2023 Formula One United States Grand Prix which is set to take place between October 20-22.
