Max Verstappen wins Qatar Grand Prix as McLaren and Ferrari gear up for title showdown
Max Verstappen won the Qatar Grand Prix, marking his ninth victory of the season. He finished ahead of Ferrari's Charles Leclerc and McLaren's Oscar Piastri. The race was impacted by a loose mirror from a Williams car, causing chaos on the track. The mirror debris led to punctures for Ferrari's Carlos Sainz and Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton, affecting their race positions. A safety car was only called after the situation escalated, prompting criticism from former champion Jenson Button regarding the delay. Ferrari closed the gap to McLaren in the constructors' championship, now just 21 points apart with one race remaining in Abu Dhabi. McLaren's Lando Norris received a penalty but still managed to score points, keeping the title race competitive.