Verstappen switches focus to reboot defense of F1 teams' title

DOHA, Qatar — Newly crowned quadruple world champion Max Verstappen will switch his attention from the drivers' title race to the teams' contest this weekend when he leads Red Bull's unlikely bid to retain their crown at the Qatar Grand Prix.

Just five days after clinching his fourth championship with a measured drive to fifth at the Las Vegas Grand Prix, the 27-year-old Dutchman will return to the track hoping he can repeat his pole-to-flag triumph from last year.

Verstappen holds the lap record at the Lusail International Circuit, set in 2023, and should enjoy driving with freedom and confidence, but will face a robust challenge from all his rivals as McLaren, Ferrari and Mercedes seek success.

After falling away last weekend, in the drivers' title fight, Lando Norris and his McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri will aim to add to their position as leaders on 608 points, 24 clear of Ferrari on 584 and Red Bull, on 555, with two Grands Prix, including a sprint in Qatar, remaining.

Verstappen won last year's race ahead of Norris and Piastri, who claimed victory in the sprint, suggesting that given more recent form it will be a weekend that may favor the vastly improved McLaren team in the third Qatar event.

Mercedes' outgoing seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton, who leaves the team to join Ferrari after the season finale in Abu Dhabi next week, won the inaugural Qatar race in 2021. There was no race in 2022 when Qatar hosted the soccer World Cup final tournament.

"Winning the title was an incredible moment," said Verstappen ahead of his arrival in Doha. "I am so proud of what we achieved as a team. There were difficult moments, but we stuck together, never gave up and this is what made it so special.

"We are still very focused for the Qatar race and it is going to be a busy weekend. The season is not over yet… We want to keep the momentum going and win as many points as we can for the team — bring it on!"

The champion can expect a strong challenge from all of his rivals led by Mercedes' George Russell, who won in Nevada and declared that he was intent on launching a title bid in 2025, if his oft-capricious car proves as fast and reliable as it was last weekend.

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