This Sunday, Max Verstappen put on a clinic at the 2023 Qatar Grand Prix, easily claiming his 14th victory of the year. The Red Bull driver, who had just locked in his third world championship after the sprint race, finished well ahead of McLaren's Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris. After starting on pole, Verstappen managed to steer clear of a messy opening lap involving Lewis Hamilton and George Russell, spending the rest of the race in undisputed control.
The race took a turn for the Mercedes team early on when Russell and Hamilton collided at the first corner, forcing Hamilton to retire immediately. Oscar Piastri capitalized on the confusion, sliding into second place while Charles Leclerc and Fernando Alonso slowed down to avoid a crash. This podium finish is part of a brilliant run for the young Australian, who previously won the Saturday sprint and finished third in Japan.
Despite four consecutive podium appearances, including the sprint, Lando Norris is still searching for his first win, largely due to Verstappen's overwhelming superiority. The Mercedes pair had intended to work together to chase down the leader, but their tactical plan fell apart in seconds when Hamilton and Russell crashed into one another at the start.
The collision sent the seven-time champion, Lewis Hamilton, sliding into the gravel, ending his race on the spot. While Hamilton initially vented his frustration toward Russell over the radio, he later admitted fault for the accident. Russell managed to keep going, though he had to pit for a new front wing at the end of the first lap, leaving him to fight his way back from the rear of the pack.
With the Mercedes drivers out of the way, Verstappen was left with a clear track. Although he had already clinched the 2023 championship during Saturday's sprint, he had no intention of handing over the victory. Reflecting on the race, Verstappen noted that his strong opening stint allowed him to manage his tires and pace for the rest of the event. However, he admitted the McLarens were genuinely fast, forcing him to keep his foot down in a challenging race.