Lewis Hamilton’s 'Holy Sh*t' Moment At Qatar! He Didn’t Know Max Verstappen Won… Until He Really Did

Last Updated:December 02, 2025, 08:52 IST

Hamilton was surprised when he found out after the race that Verstappen won Qatar GP, now 12 points behind Norris, with Piastri 16 back.

Max Verstappen with Lewis Hamilton (X)

Lewis Hamilton has seen a lot in Formula 1 — seven world titles, 105 race wins, a few dubious stewarding calls — but even he wasn’t prepared for the plot twist awaiting him in the Qatar GP media pen.

The Ferrari star finished his race, strolled into interviews, and only then discovered that Max Verstappen had won the Grand Prix… and was now just 12 points behind Lando Norris in the drivers’ championship.

Apparently, Hamilton had been racing in something close to radio silence.

With almost no trackside screens around the 5.419 km Lusail International Circuit, he admitted he couldn’t follow the front-running battle at all.

“I couldn’t see the race… It would be helpful to add more screens," he said.

So when RacingNews365 broke the news — Max won, Norris finished ahead but not by much, and Piastri is now 16 points off the top –Hamilton looked like someone had just spoiled the ending of a show he hadn’t started yet.

“So Oscar’s how far behind? …How’s Max 12 behind now?"

“Max won? Oh shit, I didn’t know! I had no idea! Holy shit! Wow!"

Not exactly corporate PR-approved, but absolutely honest.

Still, Hamilton had praise ready for Verstappen — his old 2021 Abu Dhabi title rival — and for Red Bull’s late-season resurgence.

“We all know Max does a great job… He’s got a phenomenal team, the best car over the last four years. Maybe less so at the beginning of this year, but they came back."

And now? We’re headed into the 2025 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix with a three-way title showdown — the first time F1 has seen this kind of finale since 2010.

Norris. Verstappen. Piastri. Who will walk away with the ultimate prize? Well, one last ride down the Yas Marina Circuit is all that separates the three from finding out themselves.

About the Author

Siddarth Sriram

After training in the field of broadcast media, Siddarth, as a sub-editor for News18 Sports, currently dabbles in putting together stories, from across a plethora of sports, onto a digital canvas. His...Read More

News sports formula-one Lewis Hamilton’s 'Holy Sh*t' Moment At Qatar! He Didn’t Know Max Verstappen Won… Until He Really Did

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