The Dutchman has won at the Lusail International Circuit for the past two years
Max Verstappen was handed a controversial grid penalty at the Qatar Grand Prix, as he aims to continue his hunt for a record-equalling fifth consecutive world title.
The Red Bull star secured his sixth victory of the season in Las Vegas, taking the maximum available points from the weekend.
After both McLarens were disqualified for breaching a technical regulation, Verstappen is now level on points with Oscar Piastri and just 24 behind championship leader Lando Norris.
It marks a stunning turnaround for the Dutchman, who trailed Piastri by 104 points as recently as August.
With only two race weekends remaining, Verstappen’s title hopes are well and truly alive.
There is both a sprint race and a Grand Prix in Qatar before the season finale in Abu Dhabi, meaning a maximum of 58 points are available.
Norris can become world champion this weekend if he outscores both Verstappen and Piastri by two points.
But Verstappen will be confident heading to Lusail, having won at the circuit for the past two years.
Last year’s victory was made even more impressive after he was handed a one-place grid penalty for impeding the Mercedes of George Russell during qualifying.
In the final sector, as drivers prepared for their final flying laps, Verstappen surprised Russell by slowing down, forcing the Mercedes driver onto the kerb.
Russell took to team radio and slammed what he described as “dangerous driving.”
The Briton had been on provisional pole before their final runs, but was unable to improve on his time before Verstappen set the fastest time of the session.
However, his pole position was taken away shortly after.
The pair were called to the stewards’ office and more than three hours after qualifying ended, Verstappen was handed a one-place grid penalty.
Typically, “driving unnecessarily slowly” would result in a three-place grid penalty, but stewards reduced it as Russell was judged to have had a clear view of Verstappen and was not on a flying lap.
Although Verstappen’s penalty was only minor, he said he had “lost all respect” for Russell following the incident.
He said: “I was quite surprised when sitting there in the stewards’ room, what was all going on.
“Honestly, very disappointing because I think we’re all here, we respect each other a lot.
“I’ve been in that meeting room many times in my life, in my career with people that have raced, and I’ve never seen someone trying to screw someone over that hard.
“And that for me… I lost all respect.”
Ultimately, Verstappen had the last laugh as he won the Grand Prix, while Russell could only finish fourth.
But the tension between the pair continued into the Abu Dhabi season finale, with Russell calling Verstappen a “bully” before the Dutchman responded by labelling the Briton a “loser.”
