F1 2025: Qatar Grand Prix Preview and Predictions

The championship battle took yet another turn in Las Vegas as Max Verstappen outclassed the McLaren drivers under the lights. Not only that, McLaren suffered an even bigger hit as both their drivers were disqualified post-race for skid wear issues.

The Drivers’ championship battle is wide open as the grid heads to Lusail for the Qatar Grand Prix, a track Verstappen has dominated in recent years. We are in for a cracking end to this season.

For the 2025 F1 Qatar Grand Prix, here we present our preview and predictions. 

An incredible late twist?

Not only did Max Verstappen leave Las Vegas with a win, but McLaren’s post-race double disqualification further handed the Dutchman the momentum he needs to clinch the title at the eleventh hour.

Neither Lando Norris nor Oscar Piastri got any points, allowing Verstappen to move into second place with 366 points, level on points with Piastri, with Norris only 24 points ahead of the two. 

With the Qatar Grand Prix being a Sprint weekend, there are extra points up for grabs. While Norris still remains the favourite to take the title, Verstappen has now become a serious contender, someone McLaren will need to take seriously.

Piastri’s disqualification also means that, given that there are only two races left in the season, with Norris in the lead, McLaren may just favour the Brit that bit more. Expect it to be a cutthroat challenge between Verstappen and Norris in Lusail, with momentum favouring Verstappen on a track he has dominated.

It has been tight between Verstappen and the two McLaren racers all year, and it should be a thrilling finish to the season.

Pole position prediction: Max Verstappen / Lando Norris
Race winners prediction: Red Bull / McLaren

Ferrari in free fall

While McLaren have been in a league of their own, and Red Bull have had one driver fighting to help them maintain a respectable position in the Constructors’ table, Ferrari have struggled throughout the year despite having the upper hand to lock in second place with their pace, allowing both Mercedes and Red Bull to overtake them in the standings.

The Scuderia are currently in fourth place with two races to go, 13 points behind third-placed Red Bull. The last time they finished outside the top three in the Constructors’ was back in 2020, half a decade ago.

In the last nine races, since Hungary, Ferrari have finished on the podium only twice — through Charles Leclerc’s P3 and P2 finishes in Austin and Mexico City, respectively — and struggled to keep up with their competitors. Lewis Hamilton, their marquee signing this season, has not stood on the podium yet; his inability to adapt to the new machinery has hurt the Italian outfit considerably.

Leclerc showed some pace in Las Vegas, but it wasn’t enough to catch the Mercedes and Red Bull drivers. Ferrari are looking increasingly likely to finish fourth behind their main rivals.

Racing ahead

While one Italian side has been dropping down the standings, another has been moving up the table. Racing Bulls have been making moves throughout the season and are currently sitting pretty in sixth place, clear of their main competitors in the lower-midfield battle.

VCARB’s two young guns, Liam Lawson and Isack Hadjar, have been phenomenal in a car that hasn’t always been competitive. Hadjar, in particular, has impressed the most in his debut season. 

After picking up ten points in Brazil, the Franco-Algerian handed the team another eight crucial points in Las Vegas, helping them go 17 points clear of Haas behind them. Hadjar’s strong debut season sees him sitting in P9 in the Drivers’ standings right now, ahead of the likes of Nico Hülkenberg, Carlos Sainz, and Fernando Alonso.

Racing Bulls are also 31 points behind fifth-place Williams. With two races to go, and one being a Sprint weekend, they have an outside shot at a top-five finish, especially if Williams have another rough weekend like they did last time out.

The Bulls have been picking up pace throughout the season, and while they might not be fighting for podiums, they’ve regularly stayed in the fight for points and capitalised whenever there have been incidents ahead of them. Count on them to have another strong weekend in Qatar. 

Midfield heroes: Racing Bulls

F1 Qatar Grand Prix 2025: Race details

Circuit: Lusail International Circuit
Venue: Lusail, Al Daayen, Qatar
Practice Session 1 time: 19:00 IST, November 28, 2025
Sprint Qualifying time: 23:00 IST, November 28, 2025
Sprint time: 19:30 IST, November 29, 2025
Qualifying time: 23:30 IST, November 29, 2025
Main race time: 21:30 IST, November 30, 2025
Where to watch: F1 TV Pro / FanCode