What the teams said – Race day in Qatar

Max Verstappen secured his seventh win of the season at the Qatar Grand Prix, benefiting from a strategic masterstroke by Red Bull under an early Safety Car. While McLaren's Oscar Piastri started from pole and finished second, their decision not to pit during the Safety Car proved costly, denying them a potential victory and leaving Lando Norris in fourth. Carlos Sainz delivered a brilliant performance for Williams, climbing from seventh to secure a well-deserved third-place podium finish despite late car damage. Mercedes' Andrea Kimi Antonelli finished fifth after a late mistake cost him fourth, while Yuki Tsunoda salvaged a point for Racing Bulls following his teammate Isack Hadjar's unfortunate late puncture.