Max Verstappen has been hit with a controversial grid penalty at the Qatar Grand Prix, just as his hopes of a record-equalling fifth straight world title are roaring back to life. The Red Bull driver took full points in Las Vegas after both McLarens were disqualified, pulling him level with Oscar Piastri and only 24 points behind leader Lando Norris. With 58 points still up for grabs across the Qatar sprint and Grand Prix plus the Abu Dhabi finale, the championship is wide open again.
Verstappen arrives at Lusail full of confidence, having won the Qatar GP for the last two years. Last season he took victory from a dropped grid spot after being penalised for slowing down in front of George Russell during qualifying. In the final sector, Russell was on a hot lap when Verstappen suddenly braked, forcing the Mercedes driver onto the kerbs and ruining his lap.
Russell exploded on team radio, calling it “dangerous driving,” and later told the stewards Verstappen had deliberately blocked him. Verstappen was summoned alongside Russell and, more than three hours after qualifying ended, received a one-place grid drop. Normally “driving unnecessarily slowly” brings a three-place penalty, but the stewards went lighter because Russell wasn’t actually on a flying lap at that exact moment and had a clear view of the Red Bull.
The incident left bad blood between the two. In the stewards’ room, Verstappen said he was shocked by Russell’s behaviour and declared he had “lost all respect” for the Mercedes driver, accusing him of trying to “screw him over.” Russell later called Verstappen a bully, while the Dutchman fired back by labelling him a “loser.” Verstappen had the last laugh by winning the race anyway, with Russell only fourth.
Now, exactly one year later, Verstappen is back in Qatar facing another grid penalty for a similar slow-driving incident. The reigning champion will start lower than he qualified, but history shows that rarely stops him at Lusail. With the title fight suddenly red-hot again, the Dutchman remains the man to beat this weekend.
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