Verstappen Shifts Focus to Constructors’ Championship at Qatar Grand Prix

Max Verstappen, the newly-crowned quadruple world champion, is set to turn his focus from the individual driver’s title to the teams’ championship this weekend at the Qatar Grand Prix. Just five days after securing his fourth consecutive championship with a calculated fifth-place finish at the Las Vegas Grand Prix, the 27-year-old Dutch driver will return to the track, aiming to replicate his dominant pole-to-flag victory from last year.

Verstappen, who holds the lap record at the Lusail International Circuit, set in 2023, will drive with confidence, but faces stiff competition from rival teams as McLaren, Ferrari, and Mercedes all push for the top spots. McLaren’s Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri are currently leading the teams’ championship on 608 points, 24 ahead of Ferrari in second place with 584, and Red Bull in third on 555, with two Grands Prix remaining, including the sprint event in Qatar.

Verstappen’s victory in last year’s race, where he finished ahead of Norris, who won the sprint race, suggests that McLaren could emerge as the team to beat this weekend, given their recent form. Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton, who is set to leave the team to join Ferrari after the season finale in Abu Dhabi, won the inaugural Qatar Grand Prix in 2021. There was no race in 2022 due to the FIFA World Cup.

“Winning the title was an incredible moment,”

Verstappen said ahead of the race in Doha.

“I am so proud of what we achieved as a team. There were tough moments, but we stuck together, never gave up, and that made it even more special. We are still focused on the Qatar race. The season isn’t over yet. We want to keep the momentum going and win as many points as we can for the team – bring it on!”

The shift in focus to the constructors’ championship means that the teams will now be battling for prestige and significant prize money. Although the exact figures are not disclosed, it is believed that the champion team will win around $140-150 million (R2.5-2.7 billion), with the runners-up taking home $130-135 million. The third-place team will receive approximately $125 million, with each of the ten teams earning progressively less as they rank lower.

Picture: F1

This fierce battle for the constructors’ title holds high importance in Formula 1, with teams regarding it as the primary objective, even as the drivers’ title continues to capture public attention. As F1 continues to grow, especially with the addition of General Motors’ Cadillac brand as a new team in 2026, the sport is expected to see an increase in revenue streams and prize money. This is evident in the recent six-year deal securing the Italian Grand Prix’s place on the calendar through to 2031.

As the season nears its conclusion, Verstappen and Red Bull are determined to finish strong, but with fierce competition from McLaren, Ferrari, and Mercedes, the Qatar Grand Prix promises to be a thrilling race for the constructors’ championship.

Follow Joburg ETC on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram

For more News in Johannesburg, visit joburgetc.com