Verstappen Dominates Qatar GP, schmitz Earns Top Marks; Ferrari Faces Total Failure
Lusail, Qatar – November 30, 2025 – Max Verstappen secured a commanding victory at the Qatar Grand prix today, further solidifying his championship lead, while Red Bull Racing’s strategic brilliance, spearheaded by Hannah Schmitz, earned widespread acclaim. In stark contrast, Ferrari endured a calamitous race, failing to score a single point and prompting immediate questions about the team’s performance and future direction. The race, held at the Lusail International Circuit, concluded with Verstappen finishing ahead of Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris, marking another dominant display by the reigning world champion.
The Qatar Grand prix highlighted not onyl Verstappen’s remarkable driving skill but also the critical role of strategic decision-making in modern Formula 1. Schmitz, Red bull’s head of race strategy, masterfully navigated tire management and pit stop timing, maximizing Verstappen’s advantage and contributing substantially to the team’s one-two finish – a feat narrowly missed due to Sergio Pérez’s late penalty. Simultaneously occurring, Ferrari’s struggles underscored the fragility of performance in the sport, with both Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz Jr. encountering issues that ultimately led to their retirements. This result intensifies pressure on the Italian team to address basic problems before the season’s end and heading into the 2026 regulations.
Verstappen completed the 57-lap race with a final time of 1:29:56.889, demonstrating a consistent pace throughout. Piastri finished 4.8 seconds behind, followed by Norris in third. Schmitz’s performance was lauded by commentators and fans alike, with many suggesting a perfect score for her tactical execution.
Ferrari’s weekend began with promise, but quickly unraveled. Leclerc retired on lap 19 due to mechanical issues, while Sainz Jr. was forced to abandon the race on lap 23 following a collision. The double retirement marks a significant setback for Ferrari, who were hoping to close the gap to Red Bull in both the drivers’ and Constructors’ Championships. The team now faces a critical period of analysis and restructuring to prevent a repeat of such a disastrous outcome.
The Formula 1 season continues next week with the Las Vegas Grand Prix, where teams will aim to build on their Qatar performance and further refine their strategies for the remaining races. The pressure is particularly high for Ferrari to recover and demonstrate improvement, while Red Bull will look to maintain its dominant form and secure both championships.
© ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Last updated November 30, 2025 (10:53 pm CET).
