The Formula One season accelerates towards its climax, with the Qatar Grand Prix this weekend following a dramatic race in Las Vegas. The championship battle intensified as Red Bull's Max Verstappen claimed victory, narrowing the gap to McLaren's Lando Norris in the standings.
Hamilton's Ferrari Frustration Boils Over
Lewis Hamilton is facing a challenging debut season with Ferrari, still awaiting his first podium finish with the legendary team. His struggles were epitomised at the Las Vegas Grand Prix, where he qualified last before fighting back to an eighth-place finish. The seven-time world champion did not mince his words, recently describing the campaign as 'the worst season ever'.
However, Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur has publicly disagreed with his star driver's grim assessment. Vasseur offered a more optimistic perspective, suggesting that podium finishes were within reach were it not for penalties and operational issues. 'It's difficult, but if you have a look at the last couple of races it's a matter of penalty as he was able to be on the podium,' Vasseur stated. He emphasised that the team's primary issue is consistency rather than a outright lack of performance.
Verstappen Sr. Turns Up the Heat on McLaren
As the title race reaches a critical juncture, Jos Verstappen, father of Max, has claimed that McLaren will now be feeling the pressure. He correctly pointed out that if his son wins the remaining races and Norris finishes second each time, the British driver would still become world champion.
Yet, Verstappen Snr also identified a potential weakness within the McLaren camp, citing the recent disqualification of both Norris and his teammate Oscar Piastri in the United States. He described the incident as a 'huge blunder', questioning whether it was a simple mistake or a sign of deeper issues with the car's performance. With Piastri also in the mix, the internal team dynamics at McLaren could play a decisive role in the outcome of the championship.
Title Showdown Heads to Qatar
All eyes now turn to the Qatar Grand Prix, where Max Verstappen will be looking to repeat his victory from last season and further close the 24-point gap to Norris. For Lewis Hamilton, the race presents another opportunity to finally secure a top-three finish for Ferrari and end his difficult season on a high note before the final race of the year. The stage is set for a thrilling conclusion to the F1 calendar.
