Verstappen coup in Qatar! Formula 1 world champion shows what he can do again

Lusail (Qatar) - Max Verstappen ran to his crew for a group photo with his index finger raised, followed by kisses and hugs from his mother and sister. Even as a four-time Formula 1 world champion, the Red Bull star was delighted with his victory coup in Qatar.

World champion Max Verstappen (27) is unbeatable. This was not to be expected in Qatar at the beginning.
World champion Max Verstappen (27) is unbeatable. This was not to be expected in Qatar at the beginning.  © Giuseppe CACACE / AFP

"Simply beautiful again," he radioed animatedly to the pits, while the fireworks for the champion crackled in the night sky above the Lusail International Circuit: "I'm so proud of everyone in this team - everyone deserves this victory."

The 27-year-old Dutchman relegated Charles Leclerc in the Ferrari to second place in the eventful race with three safety car phases. Third place went to Oscar Piastri in the McLaren ahead of pole setter George Russell in the Mercedes.

The decision in the battle for the constructors' championship title was postponed to the season finale in Abu Dhabi after Lando Norris, who was in a promising second place, was handed a penalty and even dropped out of the top ten and therefore out of the points. Nevertheless, he ultimately salvaged one point in tenth place and another for the fastest race lap.

"That's not the result we had hoped for. Now it's exciting until the last race of the year," said Piastri.

Verstappen with a difficult start in Qatar

Verstappen's victory came as quite a surprise, as his car had not been one of the fastest for months, and Red Bull also had serious problems at the start in Qatar.
Verstappen's victory came as quite a surprise, as his car had not been one of the fastest for months, and Red Bull also had serious problems at the start in Qatar.  © Darko Bandic/AP/dpa

Ferrari made up ten points thanks to Carlos Sainz in sixth place. "We were able to steal a few points from them," said team-mate Leclerc.

With a 21-point deficit going into the showdown in a week's time, Ferrari have been waiting for their next team title since 2008, McLaren since 1998.

Verstappen was not lacking in motivation even a week after his world championship triumph.

Especially not after he was stripped of his pole position three hours after qualifying. The accusation: he was too slow in between.

The victim of the specific incident was Russell, who moved up to first place on the grid due to the grid penalty against Verstappen. Verstappen had to start second on the dirty side of the track.