Verstappen wins Qatar Grand Prix as Norris suffers huge penalty

DOHA: Recently crowned four-time world champion, Max Verstappen, continued his winning ways in Qatar on Sunday, while Lando Norris suffered a huge penalty that dealt a devastating blow to McLaren, who are still fighting for the constructors’ championship.

Verstappen was stripped of pole position before the race began due to impeding George Russel. The Mercedes driver would thus lead the grid, but would drop to third immediately as Verstappen and Lando Norris took first and second respectively, on the very first turn. A yellow flag was issued on the first turn as well, as Estaban Ocon and Franco Colapinto were stranded following a collision between Nico Hulkenberg and Ocon. Later in the lap, Lance Stroll would be given a ten second penalty for causing a collision with Alex Albon. Lewis Hamilton was also given a penalty for a false start.

The green flag would be waved once again on lap five, moments before another yellow flag came out due to a collision caused by Liam Lawson, for which he was penalised with a ten second time penalty. With debris smothered across the track following all the collisions, both Hamilton and Carlos Sainz suffered punctures on lap 35, forcing another yellow flag and safety car.

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Another green flag would restart the race on lap 39, with Norris putting pressure on Verstappen immediately. The Red Bull driver would maintain his lead, while his teammate, Sergio Perez would lose control fo his car and spin out further behind.

McLaren, who are currently leading the Constructors’ Championship, were dealt a huge blow in the 46^th lap, as Norris was given a ten second stop/go penalty for speeding during a yellow flag, as he chased the Dutch race leader on the main straight. Norris fell through the places rapidly, but managed to finish the race in tenth, securing two point for his team, one for his place and another for recording the fastest lap of the day.

Verstappen would win the race, securing his ninth grand Prix victory of the year. Charles Leclerc would take second, and Oscar Piastri would finish third, earning 15 much needed points for McLaren. With Verstappen having already wont he drivers’ championship, all eyes are on the constructors. McLaren currently leads with 640 points, but Ferrari are close behind with 619, courtesy of Leclerc’s second place finish. The championship will be decided in the final race of the season on December 8 in Abu Dhabi. If McLaren win the title in the United Arab Emirates, it will be their first since 1998.

“I was really having a good time out there,” said Verstappen, the four-time world champion, adding that “with Lando there as well pushing you, you can’t afford to make a mistake.”

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Norris wasn’t as cheerful as Verstappen, as the distraught McLaren drivers stated “I don’t know what happened.” When asked about his race before receiving the penalty, Norris said “It doesn’t matter now does it,” adding shortly after that “I can only apologise to the team.”