The Qatar Grand Prix provided yet more conclusive evidence that Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes are no longer the closest threats to Max Verstappen and Red Bull this year
Image: Hasan Bratic/picture-alliance/dpa/AP Images)
Max Verstappen overlooked Mercedes as he identified McLaren as chief threats to his Formula 1 dominance.
In truth, no-one has been able to come close to the Dutchman this year. That is why he was able to secure his third consecutive drivers’ title after the Qatar Grand Prix Sprint on Saturday, with six full races and two more Sprints still to go in 2023.
Mercedes are second in the constructors’ championship with Ferrari hot on their heels. And Lewis Hamilton sits third behind the two Red Bull racers in the drivers’ standings, hunting down the misfiring Sergio Perez for the runner-up spot.
But the Qatar race provided yet more evidence that Hamilton and his Mercedes team are no longer the man threat to Verstappen. Nor is it team-mate George Russell, either of the Ferrari drivers or Fernando Alonso at Aston Martin.
Another double podium for McLaren saw Oscar Piastri finish second behind Verstappen, while Lando Norris crossed the line third. That was the day after Piastri won the Sprint race from pole, the rookie holding off Verstappen to take maximum points from an F1 session for the first time.
Speaking after the race, the Dutchman said he can no longer ignore the fact that McLaren’s vast improvements over the season have seen them become the main rivals to Red Bull. “I do think that as a team, they are probably the most consistent compared to the others behind us,” he said.
“And I do think they have the best driver line-up out of all of them. They are operating really well and it’s going to be interesting to the end of the year, but also I think start of next year to see where everyone is at.”
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McLaren remain fifth in the constructors’, but another excellent result means they are closing in on those above. Not only are Aston Martin in their sights, but the gap to Ferrari is now down to 79 points and Norris is not ruling out his team’s chances of overtaking the Italians before the season is over.
“It’s doable. I think so,” he said of the prospect. “A couple of races ago it was 70 something to Aston. Fernando said we’re overconfident as well! I think we’re just doing a good job. Not just in terms of pace, but today we had a 1.8-second pit stop, which is pretty impressive from the guys, they’ve been working extremely hard, so to reward the whole team consistently is only more motivating and a bigger boost every weekend.
“They like the taste of success. It’s the first time they’re getting it consistently and I think that only makes them want it more and more and more every weekend, that we’re doing, so the guys are doing a great job. I think we’re both doing a decent job too. So we’ll keep it up.”