The Qatar Grand Prix Unpacked
The Qatar Grand Prix delivered its verdict, and while Max Verstappen took the checkered flag, the real story lies in a uncharacteristic strategic miscalculation by McLaren that has blown the 2025 title race wide open for the showdown in Abu Dhabi . The pivotal moment of the race occurred on Lap 7 , when an incident triggered the Safety Car. Most of the field, led by Max Verstappen , immediately dived into the pits for a "cheap" tyre change. Crucially, McLaren chose to keep both race leader Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris out on track. The decision was made to preserve track position and avoid a complex double pit-stacking scenario (where Norris would have lost time waiting for Piastri). However, with the mandated 25-lap maximum stint length in force for all tyres due to safety concerns, this decision proved catastrophic. By not pitting, McLaren ceded a vital time advantage and track position to Verstappen, leaving him set up for a commanding victory. The immedia...
