Oscar Piastri has enjoyed a stand-out Formula 1 weekend after finishing the Qatar Grand Prix in second place, while Max Verstappen was crowned World Champion for the third time after securing an unassailable lead in the Drivers’ Championship standings.
 
The young Australian’s second consecutive podium followed an incredible performance on Saturday, where he enjoyed a maiden Formula 1 victory in the event’s sprint race.
 
All weekend Piastri was getting the most out of his McLaren, with the rookie showing plenty of pace during Friday qualifying.
 
Making it all the way to the final session, Piastri posted the third fastest time on his final timed lap, only to be demoted down to sixth after his lap time was deleted due to exceeding track limits.
 
Track limits would again have a massive impact on drivers during Saturday’s sprint shootout - only this time Piastri was a beneficiary of the havoc as he scored his first-ever F1 Sprint pole position to edge ahead of McLaren teammate Lando Norris, and Verstappen.
 
Opting to go with medium-compound tyres for the sprint race, Piastri had a good start but lost his lead early in the race to Mercedes’ George Russell, who was on soft tyres, while also holding off several other drivers behind.
 
The strategy to go with the mediums paid off as Piastri regained the lead from Russell on lap 10, and eventually notched up the victory – McLaren’s first race win since Daniel Ricciardo’s win in Italy back in 2021.
 
Although he picked up his first race win, the result was overshadowed by Verstappen, whose second place was enough to claim the 2023 title.

 
“This has been a fantastic feeling and it has been a fantastic year,” Verstappen said post-Sprint race.
 
“We have had some great races and I am super-proud of the team job and it is so enjoyable to be a part of this group of people.
 
“To win three times is incredible.”
 
When it came to the Grand Prix, Verstappen picked up where he left off and produced a perfect drive, which began with a brilliant start off the line.
 
Piastri also had a dream start as he shot up from sixth to second place at the first corner after contact between Russell and Mercedes teammate Lewis Hamilton saw both drivers spin out, while Charles Leclerc and Fernando Alonso slowed to avoid the collision.
 
From that point onwards, a mature and mostly uneventful drive from Piastri throughout the 57 laps, as well as three fantastic pit stops from the McLaren crew all contributed to the 22-year-old finishing in second place but ahead of Norris. Verstappen ended his title-winning weekend with an emphatic victory.
 
With Norris finishing in third place, it’s the second race in a row where McLaren has secured a double podium and valuable championship points towards their push for fourth in the Constructors’ Championship.


Although unable to convert his sprint win into a Grand Prix win, Piastri was pleased to get another podium - despite the sweltering conditions making it a highly challenging affair for all drivers.
 
“It was so hot,” Piastri said post-race.
 
“With three stops, it was flat out every lap so it was like 57 qualifying laps... I’m happy, but it was the hardest race of my life.”
 
Rounding out the top five behind the two McLaren drivers were Russell and Leclerc, with the former producing a solid recovery drive up the order.
 
View full results here.
 
The Formula 1 World Championship continues later this month with the United States Grand Prix at the famous Americas circuit in Austin, Texas on Sunday, 22 October.