The Formula 1 world is on the edge of its seat as the championship race heats up, but there's one figure looming large in the shadows—Max Verstappen. McLaren's CEO, Zak Brown, has likened him to a character straight out of a horror movie, and it's not hard to see why. With just two races left in the season, Verstappen, despite starting sixth in Saturday's Sprint at the Qatar Grand Prix, remains a formidable threat to championship leader Lando Norris. But here's where it gets controversial: Can McLaren truly ignore the four-time world champion, or is that just wishful thinking?
Verstappen, trailing Norris by 24 points, has staged a remarkable comeback since being 104 points behind Oscar Piastri after the Dutch Grand Prix in August. Mathematically, he’s still in contention for the title, provided he keeps his deficit to Norris under 26 points by the season finale in Abu Dhabi. Brown’s strategy? Focus on securing the front row and finishing first and second, effectively sidelining Verstappen. But is that even possible against a driver who claims he would have 'easily' won the championship in McLaren's 2025 car?
Verstappen’s confidence isn’t unwarranted. Despite struggling with car balance and bouncing issues during Friday’s practice, he remains a force to be reckoned with. Meanwhile, Norris, starting behind George Russell and Sprint pole-sitter Piastri, admits overtaking is nearly impossible on this track. So, is Norris’s title dream hanging by a thread, or can he pull off a miracle?
Piastri, meanwhile, sees Saturday’s Sprint as a golden opportunity to close the 24-point gap with Norris, setting the stage for a thrilling Sunday Grand Prix. But will his Sprint pole position translate into a championship-altering performance, or is he just delaying the inevitable?
As the Qatar Grand Prix unfolds, one thing is clear: this title race is far from over. Do you think McLaren can truly ignore Verstappen, or is he the unstoppable force that will decide the championship? Let us know in the comments!
Qatar GP Schedule on Sky Sports F1:
- Saturday, November 29:
1pm: Qatar GP Sprint build-up*
2pm: QATAR GP SPRINT*
3.30pm: Ted's Sprint Notebook*
4.15pm: F2 Sprint
5.15pm: Qatar GP Qualifying build-up
6pm: QATAR GP QUALIFYING
8pm: Ted's Qualifying Notebook
- Sunday, November 30:
11.55am: F2 Feature
2.30pm: Grand Prix Sunday: Qatar GP build-up
4pm: THE QATAR GRAND PRIX
6pm: Chequered Flag: Qatar GP reaction
7pm: Ted's Notebook
Also on Sky Sports Main Event. Stream every race with NOW—no contract, cancel anytime.
