Formula One

Oscar Piastri takes first F1 victory as Verstappen seals title in Qatar sprint

Andrew Rickert

Oct 8, 2023 — 4 min read

Oscar Piastri took his first race win in Formula One from pole despite a brief challenge from George Russell, with Max Verstappen in second place and claiming his third drivers’ title.

F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali with world champion Max Verstappen, sprint race winner Oscar Piastri, third-place Lando Norris, and FIA President Mohammed ben Sulayem. *(Mark Thompson / Getty Images / Red Bull)*

Piastri started on pole ahead of teammate Lando Norris and had the much better start, holding the lead through one safety car interruption before being overtaken by Russell on the soft tyre.

The Australian held his own and waited for the pendulum to swing his way on the medium compound, regaining the lead and driving into the Lusail night with his first career victory and eight points.

“Very happy,” said Piastri.

“A very stressful race.”

“When I saw all the soft guys come through at the start, I thought we were in a bit of trouble and yeah, then their tyres fell off pretty quickly, so that was good.

“Safety Cars were my friend today, definitely once Max got behind me but the pace was reasonable and I think, in a race where you had to manage a lot the tyres, cars on other compounds, I think we did a really good job, so very happy.”

McLaren celebrates after the sprint race. *(McLaren Racing)*

Verstappen clawed back second place after falling through the field off the start, but was unable to chase down Piastri’s McLaren for the lead.

With teammate Sergio Perez involved in a three-car collision with Esteban Ocon and Nico Hulkenberg, Verstappen needed just three points to secure the World Drivers' Championship title, which he celebrated as he crossed the line.

“It’s a fantastic feeling,” said Verstappen.

“It’s been an incredible year.”

“A lot of great races and of course super-proud but also super-proud of the job of the team. It’s just been so enjoyable to be part of that group of people.

“To be a three-time World Champion is just incredible.”

Max Verstappen celebrates his world title with Red Bull teammates in Qatar. *(Mark Thompson / Getty Images / Red Bull)*

Leaders Piastri, Norris, and Verstappen had all chosen to start on medium tyres, while George Russell, Carlos Sainz, and Charles Leclerc lined up behind them on the soft compound.

Piastri had a near-perfect start, while Norris and Verstappen both fell into the clutches of the soft tyre runners. Kiwi Liam Lawson spun off into the gravel to bring out the safety car with less than a lap completed, but the race was underway again by lap three.

The Australian held the lead at the restart but was unable to shake Russell, who chased him down and made it into the lead just as Logan Sargeant brought out another safety car as he too spun into the gravel.

Russell bolted away at the restart, with the advantage changing around lap ten as he began to narrow the gap on the leader.

Caught at the rear of the top ten, Sergio Perez was caught up in a three-car collision with Hulkenberg and Ocon, as the Haas driver was sandwiched into turn two.

The safety car came out once more, and the soft tyres were exhausted, with some runners at the rear of the field diving into pit lane.

Piastri raced off into the lead while Russell struggled to hold off Verstappen, with Norris chasing down Sainz behind them.

Oscar Piastri leads the sprint race on Saturday in Qatar. *(Pirelli)*

The Australian crossed the line almost two seconds ahead of Verstappen, with Norris able to make his way through the struggling Sainz and Russell to take third.

Alex Albon also had a remarkable race, pushing through the field in the final laps to take the final point from Fernando Alonso, and later promoted to seventh with penalties for Charles Leclerc and Lance Stroll.

The Formula 1 field returns at 4am Monday (AEDT) for the Qatar Grand Prix.

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