Max Verstappen is the Formula One champion once more. He is not easing off.
A day after clinching his third title in a dash race, it was clear the celebrations had taken nothing out of Verstappen’s tempo as he cruised to his 14th Grand Prix win of the season in acquainted fashion at the Qatar Grand Prix on Sunday.
The Red Bull driver began on pole, stayed away from Lewis Hamilton and George Russell colliding alongside him at the primary nook, and was then comfortably forward of the remainder of the sphere on his approach to his 14th Grand Prix win in 2023.
Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris completed second and third in a double podium end for McLaren.
“I think what made the race was my first stint, and after that I could just manage my pace, making sure that the tires were in a good window,” Verstappen mentioned. “But the McLarens were quick again today. I had to push for it. It’s definitely a tough race out there.”
The two Mercedes of Russell and Hamilton began behind Verstappen on the grid however collided at the primary nook, ending seven-time champion Hamilton’s race. Piastri charged via for second place as Fernando Alonso and Charles Leclerc forward of him slowed to keep away from the crash.
Second place continues a formidable streak for Australian rookie Piastri, who achieved his first profession podium end at the Japanese Grand Prix two weeks in the past and received the Qatar dash race Saturday.
Piastri informed his crew it was “probably the hardest race I’ve ever had in my life,” including his thanks for “whoever bowled everyone over at turn one,” in a reference to the Mercedes crash.
Norris has been on the rostrum for 4 races in a row together with the dash — although a primary profession win nonetheless eludes the British driver due to Verstappen’s domination.

Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands celebrates after profitable the Qatar Formula One Grand Prix auto race at the Lusail International Circuit, in Lusail, Qatar, Sunday, Oct. 8, 2023. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic)
Hamilton informed his crew on the formation lap that he was involved about being “a sitting duck” at the beginning with quicker vehicles behind. His race was over at the primary nook.
With Hamilton to his left and Verstappen to his proper, Russell had nowhere to go when Hamilton turned in on him and each Mercedes span into the gravel. Russell was capable of proceed however needed to pit for harm and dropped to the again. He fought his manner again via the sphere to complete fourth forward of Ferrari driver Leclerc and Aston Martin’s Alonso.
Hamilton initially blamed Russell for the crash over the radio however accepted accountability in later feedback.
Esteban Ocon was seventh for Alpine, the 2 Alfa Romeos of Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu eighth and ninth, and Verstappen’s Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez tenth.
Safety issues over the tires meant drivers had been banned from utilizing the identical tires for greater than 18 laps. That meant a minimal of three pit stops within the 57-lap race, so technique performed a distinguished position.
Piastri likened the race to “57 qualifying laps” for the reason that frequent stops meant no use for drivers to ease off and forestall tire put on.
At one stage, Verstappen even lapped his teammate Perez, who had one other disappointing efficiency after repeated penalties for going off monitor.
Perez needed to begin from the pit lane after a change of energy unit following his crash in Saturday’s dash, however was quickly racing towards Russell. Unlike Russell, Perez made little progress preventing up the sphere.
Perez received two of the primary 4 races this season however has not received since then. Perez stays second within the standings however has picked up simply 5 factors from the final three rounds of the championship, together with retirements at the Japanese Grand Prix and in Saturday’s Qatar dash race.
Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz Jr., the one non-Red Bull driver to win a Grand Prix this season, didn’t begin the race due to what Ferrari known as a gasoline system subject on his automotive. He had certified twelfth.
American driver Logan Sargeant retired from the race on lap 40 of 57 after feeling unwell and being informed over the radio by his Williams crew engineer that there can be “no shame” in stopping. Williams mentioned Sargeant had suffered “intense dehydration” and had raced regardless of having been unwell earlier within the week. He was assessed and cleared by the medical crew at the monitor, Williams added.
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