Top F1 drivers react to energy-sapping Qatar Grand Prix after '57 qualifying laps'

Max Verstappen raced to an incredible victory at the Qatar Grand Prix, sealing his 14th win of the 2023 Formula 1 season and the 49th of his F1 career.

The Red Bull driver maintained P1 into the first corner, avoiding the drama between Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton and George Russell. It opened the door for McLaren's Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris to challenge for the podium virtually unchallenged, a feat they achieved successfully.

But for Verstappen, the win in roaring temperatures and 74% humidity was the perfect finish to a weekend in which he won his third F1 Drivers' championship.

The Dutchman said in the post-race interviews: "What made the race was my first stint; after that, I could manage my pace. We'll enjoy a little bit, but there's still a few races to go that I want to win."

Well done, McLaren

The McLaren duo of Piastri and Norris have been enjoying a surge in car performance since the team's first major upgrades at the Austrian Grand Prix, with the results rolling in regularly.

In Qatar, Piastri has been on song, taking victory in Saturday's Sprint Race and P2 in Sunday's Grand Prix. Norris finished P3 in both races.

"Really impressive pace, definitely the hardest race I've ever had in my life. With the three stops, it was basically flat out, so it was 57 qualifying laps. It was intense," Piastri said after Sunday's showcase race.

Norris showed a strong pace throughout the Grand Prix and looked to threaten Piastri for P2. However, McLaren called it and asked its drivers to bring both cars home safely. Though he protested briefly, Norris obliged to the team order.

"Good start, good pace throughout the whole thing," he said.

"I'm happy, stressful, hot, sweaty, a little bit tired. Also, a 1.8s pit stop by the boys. One of