2025 F1 Qatar Grand Prix: Driver Ratings & Title Race Twists

The 2025 F1 Qatar Grand Prix delivered yet another dramatic twist in the championship battle, setting up a thrilling three-way title fight for the season finale in Abu Dhabi. A controversial McLaren strategic error proved costly for Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris, ultimately handing Max Verstappen an unexpected victory and significantly tightening the championship standings.

Why it matters:

• The Qatar Grand Prix was the penultimate round of the 2025 F1 season, making every point crucial in the fight for the drivers' championship.
• McLaren's strategic misstep not only cost Oscar Piastri a likely win but also impacted Lando Norris's championship lead, proving how single decisions can alter an entire season's trajectory.
• Max Verstappen, despite not being the quickest, capitalized on his rivals' misfortunes, demonstrating the importance of consistency and taking advantage of opportunities in a tight title race.

The details:

• Oscar Piastri (9.5): Despite a near-perfect weekend, leading every session, Piastri was robbed of a win by McLaren's decision not to pit him under the safety car on lap seven. He finished second, now 16 points behind Norris, needing a miracle in Abu Dhabi.
• Max Verstappen (9): Verstappen admitted to needing luck for the title, and Qatar provided it. McLaren's strategic error, following their disqualification in Las Vegas, opened the door for him to win comfortably. He now sits just 12 points behind Norris, despite not having the fastest car in Qatar.
• Carlos Sainz (9): Sainz continued his strong second half of the season with another well-deserved podium for Williams. He expertly navigated the lap seven pit lane chaos and had the pace to secure third place.
• Fernando Alonso (8.5): Alonso showed impressive pace throughout the race, finishing sixth and comfortably ahead of his teammate Lance Stroll. He played a crucial role in Aston Martin's fight for sixth in the constructors' standings.
• Kimi Antonelli (8): Antonelli's pace improved significantly from the Sprint onwards, matching George Russell once again. A late-race mistake cost him a podium, but it underscored his rapid progression after a challenging start to the season.

The bottom five:

• Alex Albon (5): Albon struggled to match his teammate's pace, finishing outside the points. This continued a recent trend of underperformance, contrasting with Sainz's strong form.
• Esteban Ocon (4): Ocon had a weekend to forget, performing weaker than teammate Oliver Bearman. This dynamic highlights Bearman's dominance over Ocon this season.
• Lance Stroll (4): Stroll delivered a significantly underwhelming performance, being eliminated in both SQ1 and Q1 before retiring from the race, especially notable given Alonso's pace.
• Lewis Hamilton (3.5): Hamilton's challenging maiden season with Ferrari continued with another miserable weekend. Like Stroll, he was eliminated in SQ1 and Q1, recovering only to 12th in the race.
• Franco Colapinto (3.5): After showing signs of progress, Colapinto returned to the rear of the field, lacking pace and significantly slower than his teammate Pierre Gasly.

The big picture:

The Qatar Grand Prix has dramatically intensified the 2025 F1 championship, turning it into a gripping three-way battle as the season heads to its thrilling conclusion. While individual driver performances varied, strategic decisions and moments of luck proved just as critical as raw pace, reshaping the title contenders' positions.

What's next:

The F1 season now moves to Abu Dhabi for the grand finale, where the drivers' championship will be decided among Oscar Piastri, Lando Norris, and Max Verstappen. Every point will count, and the pressure on teams to execute flawless strategies will be immense, promising a nail-biting conclusion to an already dramatic season.