Verstappen’s 50th win as #1 means he could yet retain it

The Qatar Grand Prix delivered an unpredictable spectacle, leaving the 2025 drivers’ championship delicately poised with three contenders heading into Abu Dhabi. Max Verstappen secured his third consecutive victory in Qatar, marking his 70th career win and 50th with the #1 car, despite losing ground in the championship. Oscar Piastri took second place, ending his podium drought, while Carlos Sainz remarkably clinched third for Williams, marking multiple podiums for the team in a season for the first time since 2015. Lando Norris, finishing fourth, now leads the Drivers' Championship by 12 points over Verstappen, with Piastri trailing by 16 points, setting up a thrilling finale.