Verstappen secures 'F1 title' despite fourth-place finish in Qatar

08:44, 30 Nov

Updated: 08:57, 30 Nov

byTobia Elia

Max Verstappen topped the sprint event standings, thanks to his fourth-place finish in the Qatar sprint race.

While waiting to see if he can push the championship fight to the final race in Abu Dhabi like in 2021, the four-time world champion can at least take comfort in being the 2025 sprint champion.

The five points he scored yesterday were enough to secure the top spot in the mini standings after all six sprint events of the season.

Joining him on the podium is George Russell, who has consistently delivered strong sprint results, including his second-place finish in Qatar, ending with 30 points. Lando Norris rounds out the top three, tying on 29 points with his teammate.

Photo: Race Pictures

Fifth place goes to Lewis Hamilton, boosted by his early-season win in China — the only real highlight in an otherwise disappointing season with Ferrari so far.

At the bottom of the standings is Isack Hadjar, who, unlike in the Grands Prix, hasn’t managed to rack up enough points in the sprint events.

Final 2025 Sprint standings

Max Verstappen — 32
George Russell — 30
Lando Norris — 29
Oscar Piastri — 29
Lewis Hamilton — 21
Charles Leclerc — 17
Kimi Antonelli — 15
Yuki Tsunoda — 12
Carlos Sainz — 10
Fernando Alonso — 5
Lance Stroll — 4
Esteban Ocon — 4
Alex Albon — 3
Ollie Bearman — 2
Pierre Gasly — 2
Isack Hadjar — 1

Drivers' standings situation ahead of Qatar GP

While he has been the standout in the sprint events, Verstappen isn’t in control of his own destiny in the drivers’ standings and will need another slip-up from Norris to have a chance at a fifth consecutive title in the final race in Abu Dhabi.

The Dutchman lost another point yesterday in the sprint, finishing just behind the Briton, and dropped three more compared to his other rival, Oscar Piastri, who looks back to full competitiveness in Losail after a string of less impressive races.

Here’s the drivers’ championship situation with two rounds remaining.

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