© Vladmir RysRace Changing Moments - Qatar Grand Prix 2023It was a weekend to remember for the Team. Here is the good, the bad, and the ugly from the race at the Lusail International Circuit.
MaxVerstappenstormedtoanotherracewin–his14thoftheseason–toclaimhisthirdDrivers’Championshiptitle.Which,asChristiansoeloquentlyremindedus,putshimamongstotherlegendslikeAytonSenna,NikiLauda,JackieStewart,NelsonPiquetandJackBrabham.It’saseasonthatwilllivelonginthememoryoftheTeamandthefans.Checoalsobattledforthefull57lapstoclimb10placesandcollectapoint.Here’sthehighlightsfromourweekendinQatar.
SprintingToTitleNumberThree
Max claimed his title on Saturday night under the lights of the Lusail Circuit in the Sprint Race. Max started the race in P3, but dropped down to P5 due to cars around him being on softer tyres. However, he was unable to fight back straight away due to the Safety Car being deployed twice in the first three laps. As the Safety Car returned to the pits, Max went full send.
The Bull only needed three points to claim the championship, but he wanted that top spot on the podium in the 19-lap Sprint Race. Lap nine saw him take P4 away from Charles Leclerc, and a lap later he took Carlos Sainz in turn one, to take the first podium spot.
The Safety Car was deployed for a third time, cutting three laps out of the race. With five laps remaining the Safety Car left the track and Max charged again. His next victim was George Russell. Russell’s soft tyres had gone off and Max flew by the Mercedes on the start/finish straight at the end of lap 16. He was then hunting down the leader Oscar Piastri, but there just weren’t enough laps left in the race. Max finished P2, collecting seven points and his third world title!
Max Battling On Mediums© Getty Images
The track of the Lusail International Circuit had been resurfaced for this year’s Grand Prix and Pirelli noticed that the new kerbs were causing an issue for their P Zero tyres. After Friday’s action, Pirelli inspected the used tyres and noticed a separation in the sidewall between the topping compound and the carcass cords on a lot of sets that had completed around 20 laps. This was due to extensive running on the new kerbs. So, between the FIA and Pirelli (and after an impromptu additional session on Saturday), the decision was made that the tyres for the race would have a maximum limit of 18 laps. This meant that every driver had to make a minimum of three pitstops in the 57-lap race.
With this added pressure, the Team were still able to come out on top, thanks to a solid strategy and the pit crew performing to the best of their ability. It worked so well that Max only ever dropped to P2, which was just for one lap.
Saturday’s Sprint Race ended for Sergio with the marshals having to extinguish flames on his RB19 after he crashed out due to no fault of his own.
We Do Not Give Up, All Eyes To Sunday© Getty Images
The Mexican driver was pushing hard and when he saw Esteban Ocon and Nico Hulkenberg fighting for position and saw a chance to take both drivers. He made his move on the outside of the pair. Unfortunately, Ocon tried to force Hulkenberg out, but with nowhere to go, the Hass driver held his ground. Ocon and Hulkenberg collided, which spun Ocon’s Alpine into the side of Checo. This sent Checo into the gravel where his sprint ended. There was significant damage caused to Checo’s car which required extensive repair and a new Power Unit, meaning he had to start Sunday’s race from the pitlane.
With tyres limited to 18-laps, and a pit lane start, it was always going to be a battle for Sergio in the race. As the race unfolded, he moved up and down the timing chart as others pitted around him. Checo was pushing hard and wanted to collect as many points as possible, unfortunately he picked up three five-second penalties for exceeding track limits. Two he served during his pitstops, but he was awarded the last one after the chequered flag. Despite all this counting against him, Checo was still able to finish P10 and collect a point, keeping him second in the driver standings. He’s 30 points ahead of Lewis Hamilton in third-place and will be doing everything to ensure he keeps his spot. In a season where the Team has broken all records, it would be very fitting to finish one-two in the driver standings – something the Team has never done in the past.
Race - Qatar Grand Prix 2023
Special Dutch Lion Lid© Getty Images
Did Someone Say World Champ!© Getty Images
Max Setting The Pace© Getty Images
Checo Hugging That Apex© Getty Images
So What Happened Next?© Getty Images
It's All A Blur In Qatar© Getty Images
Waiting Patiently© Getty Images
