Hamilton Surprised by Verstappen's Qatar GP Victory
Lewis Hamilton was genuinely surprised to learn Max Verstappen won the Qatar GP, thinking Oscar Piastri had taken victory, a reaction that underscored the tight championship fight. Hamilton praised Verstappen's talent but also criticized the Qatar circuit and FIA rules for limiting overtaking, capping off a challenging weekend where he failed to score points with Ferrari. This result further intensifies the title race as the season progresses.
Lewis Hamilton admitted he was genuinely surprised to learn that the Qatar Grand Prix had been won by Max Verstappen rather than Oscar Piastri, an unexpected twist in a weekend that also saw Hamilton criticize the FIA and the Losail circuit's suitability for racing. Verstappen's victory further tightens the championship race, while Hamilton's challenging weekend continued his difficult debut season with Ferrari.
Why it matters:
Hamilton's candid reaction highlights the unpredictability of modern F1 racing, even for seasoned veterans. More significantly, Verstappen's win further solidifies his position as a championship contender, making the title fight even more compelling as the season progresses. For Hamilton, his struggles in Qatar underscore the challenges he faces in adapting to his new team and car, raising questions about Ferrari's current competitiveness.
The Details:
- Hamilton's initial reaction: "Max won? Oh s***, I didn't know, I had no idea! Holy s***! Wow! I thought Piastri won…"
- He was reminded that Verstappen is now just twelve points behind leader Lando Norris, following McLaren's costly strategic blunder.
- Praise for Verstappen: Despite his surprise, Hamilton acknowledged Verstappen's talent, stating, "We all know Max does a great job. I think he's got a phenomenal team behind him, there's no denying that the best car really over the last four years... He's obviously got a great car, but he does an amazing job with it. So fair play to him."
- Hamilton's Qatar Struggles: The seven-time world champion endured his toughest weekend yet with Ferrari, failing to break into the points in either the sprint or main race.
- Criticism of FIA and Qatar GP: Hamilton blasted the FIA, praising Losail's layout but criticizing it as ill-suited for racing due to very limited overtaking opportunities. He also voiced frustration over the mandatory two-stop rule.
The Big Picture:
This race further intensifies the championship battle, with Verstappen narrowing the gap to Norris. Meanwhile, Hamilton's performance in Qatar, coupled with his strong criticism of the circuit and regulations, reflects a broader sentiment among some drivers regarding race quality and track design. His ongoing challenges with Ferrari add another layer of intrigue to the season, as the team aims to find its footing.
What's next:
As the season heads towards its climax, all eyes will be on how the championship battle between Verstappen and Norris unfolds. For Hamilton and Ferrari, the focus will be on addressing the car's issues and improving performance to avoid further disappointing results, especially if they hope to contend for podiums or wins in the remaining races. The FIA might also face pressure to review track suitability and race regulations based on driver feedback.