McLaren stumble gives Verstappen crucial boost
Formula 1 heads into a rare three-way title showdown after Max Verstappen wins a fierce Qatar Grand Prix helped by a major McLaren error. Lando Norris calls it “not our best day”, a calm phrase for a heavy setback. He loses key points. His lead drops to twelve. Oscar Piastri also suffers. He misses a likely win and falls to third in the standings. “It hurts,” he says. Norris stays favourite. A third place in the finale secures the crown, even if Verstappen wins. But Qatar exposes the season’s volatility. The twist recalls 2010, when a strategic misjudgment cost Ferrari the title.
The decision that flipped the race
McLaren enters the weekend seeking redemption. Las Vegas already cost the team strong finishes after two disqualifications. Team boss Zak Brown warned that Verstappen always finds a way back. This time the team invites trouble. A crash between Nico Hülkenberg and Pierre Gasly triggers a safety car on lap seven. Almost the whole field pits. Pirelli limits each tyre stint to 25 laps due to harsh kerbs and heat. The caution creates ideal conditions for two clean stops. Verstappen sees the opening instantly and predicts victory as he exits the pits. He is stunned that McLaren stays out.
How McLaren trapped itself
Norris asks engineer Will Joseph why both cars remain on track. Joseph says they want to preserve tactical options. Yet the decision destroys track position. Passing in Lusail is difficult. Team principal Andrea Stella says they feared others might also stay out. The reality proves the opposite. Everyone who ignores the stop pays later. Stella promises a calm review. He mentions possible internal biases but avoids quick conclusions.
Fresh doubts about equal treatment
A rumour spreads in the paddock. Some believe McLaren tried to protect equal treatment between its drivers. Piastri held priority for the first stop. A double-stack would cost Norris roughly five seconds. He risked dropping behind Verstappen, Carlos Sainz or Kimi Antonelli. Stella admits this played a role but insists it was not decisive. Some observers think McLaren leans slightly toward Norris, citing earlier races, but Stella and Brown deny it. Brown calls the theory nonsense and repeats that fairness guides the team.
