Verstappen Lands 'Another One' McLaren Quip After Qatar GP Strategy Error

Max Verstappen goes into the final round in Abu Dhabi very much in the hunt to become a five-time world champion, after claiming a critical victory at the Qatar Grand Prix.

Verstappen and Red Bull got their strategy spot on when an early Safety Car appeared, while McLaren were left to rue staying out. After a back-and-forth earlier in the weekend between Verstappen and McLaren’s Lando Norris, Verstappen quipped that Qatar was “another” error which had allowed him further back into the title race.

Why it matters:

Max Verstappen's strategic victory at the Qatar Grand Prix has significantly tightened the championship battle, reducing his gap to Lando Norris to just 12 points ahead of the Abu Dhabi finale. This win, fueled by McLaren's costly strategic misstep, amplifies the intensity of the three-way title fight, making every decision crucial for the championship contenders.

The Details:

• During the Qatar GP, a Safety Car was deployed on Lap 7 after a collision between Nico Hulkenberg and Pierre Gasly.
• Red Bull immediately pitted Verstappen, while McLaren opted to keep both Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris out on track.
• Due to a mandatory 25-lap limit on tire safety, McLaren's decision proved detrimental, as both their drivers still needed to make two more stops, unlike Verstappen who only needed one.
• Verstappen ultimately won the race by eight seconds over Piastri, with Norris finishing fourth.
• A late error by Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli further benefited Verstappen, gifting him two additional points by moving him to P4.
• This result has put Verstappen just 12 points behind Norris heading into the final race in Abu Dhabi.
• Earlier in the weekend, Verstappen had stated he was only in the title picture due to “other people’s failures,” to which Norris responded by calling Red Bull's approach “aggressive” and “talking nonsense a lot of the time.”
• When asked if McLaren’s strategy blunder supported his earlier claim, Verstappen simply replied, “Another one, yeah.”
• Verstappen expressed surprise at McLaren's decision to stay out, noting that once he pitted, he recognized a significant opportunity to win the race.
• Despite winning, Verstappen confirmed that the Red Bull RB21 still faced the same handling issues as earlier in the weekend, emphasizing that the victory was primarily due to superior strategy and effective management of those issues.

What's next:

The championship now heads to Abu Dhabi for a thrilling three-way showdown. Lando Norris, Max Verstappen, and Oscar Piastri are separated by a mere 16 points, setting the stage for a dramatic season finale where strategy, driver performance, and avoiding costly errors will be paramount in determining the 2024 Formula 1 World Champion.