The F1 safety car rule that nearly “had Red Bull over” in Verstappen’s Qatar win

That was more like it. The result the paddock Formula 1 got so used to seeing from mid-2022 to early-2024, returning in this year’s Qatar Grand Prix: Max Verstappen displaying utter brilliance to win for Red Bull.

It was a race of intrigue and controversy – like so many of this season’s contests. Once again at the Losail venue, there was tyre drama. And for McLaren and Lando Norris, as Verstappen’s closest challenger yet again, there were more reminders of the tiny details they still need to nail to prevail in their expected 2025 title challenge, as their first chance to seal this year’s constructors’ title after a dominant sprint race performance ultimately went begging.