LOSAIL, Qatar — Max Verstappen is the Formula One champion again. He isn’t easing off.
A day after clinching his third title in a sprint race, it was clear the celebrations had taken nothing out of Verstappen’s pace as he cruised to his 14th grand prix win of the season in familiar style at the Qatar GP on Sunday.
The Red Bull driver started in pole positiong, stayed clear of Mercedes teammates Lewis Hamilton and George Russell colliding alongside him at the first corner, and was then comfortably ahead of the rest of the field on his way to another victory.
McLaren’s Oscar Piastri was second, with his teammate Lando Norris third.
“I think what made the race was my first stint, and after that I could just manage my pace, making sure that the tires were in a good window,” Verstappen said. “But the McLarens were quick again today. I had to push for it. It’s definitely a tough race out there.”