Max Verstappen capitalized on McLaren’s major error to clinch victory in a fiercely contested three-way championship battle.
Here’s a breakdown of the key winners and losers from the 2025 Qatar Grand Prix:
Loser – McLaren
McLaren’s mistakes in the Drivers’ World Championship could be their own undoing this year. An early safety car deployment combined with the decision not to pit when others did shattered their chance of a 1-2 finish and allowed Verstappen back into title contention. Oscar Piastri, despite strong performances throughout the weekend, must be particularly frustrated to have missed out on a deserved win. Essentially, McLaren handed Verstappen a valuable advantage through their errors, marking his second strong weekend at this circuit.
Winner – Max Verstappen
Verstappen took full advantage of McLaren’s slip-up, executing a flawless race to claim a significant triumph. By inheriting track position, the four-time world champion controlled the pace and secured his seventh win of the season. This victory thrust him into an unexpected three-way title battle in Abu Dhabi, trailing just 13 points from becoming a five-time world champion.
Loser – Ferrari
Ferrari had a challenging weekend in Qatar, enduring one of their worst performances with the SF-25 proving difficult to handle. Both Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton struggled throughout, with Hamilton facing numerous setbacks during his first season with the team. Following a pointless weekend in both sprint and regular qualifying, Ferrari recorded their first zero-point sprint race since the 2021 Italian Grand Prix, ultimately finishing fourth in the constructors’ standings, salvaged slightly by Leclerc’s unremarkable eighth place.
Winner – Carlos Sainz and Williams
While the championship drama unfolded, Carlos Sainz delivered a strong race, taking advantage of McLaren’s errors to secure Williams’ surprising second podium of the season. Sainz’s third-place finish marked his best result in F1 since 2017 and helped Williams cement fifth in the constructors’ championship.
Loser – Nico Hulkenberg
Hulkenberg’s effort to earn crucial points for Sauber was dashed following a collision with Alpine’s Pierre Gasly on lap seven. Running tenth and trying to catch Gasly in ninth, the two made contact at Turn 1, causing Hulkenberg to spin into the gravel and retire. This incident marked Hulkenberg’s second retirement in four races and impeded Sauber’s attempt to overtake Haas in the standings.
Winner – Mercedes
Despite mistakes by Kimi Antonelli and George Russell, Mercedes managed a respectable performance with fifth and sixth-place finishes, nearly securing second place in the constructors’ standings—a clear step up from 2024.
Loser – Pierre Gasly
Gasly was a key casualty in the Qatar race, with his collision against Hulkenberg ending Alpine’s hopes of a rare top-10 finish. Though Gasly qualified well in ninth, his early race incident wiped out any chance of a strong points haul.
Winner – Fernando Alonso
Alonso rounded off a solid weekend by finishing seventh, the highest among the Aston Martin midfield runners, earning his second point of the race. Despite a spin that dropped him behind competitors, subsequent events saw him regain positions, showcasing his resilience.
Loser – Haas
Oliver Bearman was in points contention but got a 10-second stop-and-go penalty for an unsafe release, ruining his chances of scoring for the sixth consecutive year. Haas teammate Esteban Ocon also received a penalty for a false start, finishing 15th, making it a tough night for the team.
Winner – Liam Lawson
Lawson capitalized on his teammate’s misfortune to finish ninth, earning two points and keeping Racing Bulls ahead of Aston Martin in the standings. He also bested Red Bull’s Yuki Tsunoda, strengthening his chances of securing an F1 seat for the next season.
Fan Take:
This race highlights just how pivotal strategy and mistakes can be in shaping a championship, underscoring the intense competition at the top of Formula 1. For fans, seeing Verstappen fight back into the title race and McLaren stumble adds drama and unpredictability, promising a thrilling climax to the 2025 season.
