Oscar Piastri finishes second at Qatar in best ever Grand Prix result

It was unbridled chaos during the Qatar Grand Prix with two sets of teammates left seeing red with one another under scorching conditions.

Tensions boiled over in Qatar.

Max Verstappen has cruised to another race victory after leading from start to finish at a scorching Qatar Grand Prix.

The Red Bull superstar wrapped up the driver’s title on Sunday during the sprint race and only added to his lead with another dominant showing.

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While he scooted clear at the front of the field it was Aussie Oscar Piastri who pounced after opening lap carnage to move into second spot.

Following his Sprint race victory the star rookie held firm to claim second place on the podium ahead of McLaren teammate Lando Norris.

It marks his best ever finish in a Grand Prix and becomes his second podium of the season while also becoming McLaren’s second double podium finish in the past two races.

“It was so hot. With three stops, it was flat out every lap so it was like 57 qualifying laps … I’m happy, but it was the hardest race of my life,” Piastri, reflecting the feelings of all the drivers, said.

George Russell finished fourth but his race was all but ruined at turn one on the opening lap when teammate Lewis Hamilton attempted to swoop around the outside of him and Verstappen.

Unfortunately the gap closed and the Mercedes duo slammed into one another with one of Hamilton’s rear wheels being sent flying and ending his race.

“This is an absolute nightmare for Mercedes,” Karun Chandhok said on Sky Sports’ coverage.

Hamilton was done after one corner. (Photo by Giuseppe CACACE / AFP)

Russell was livid on the radio and placed the blame solely on Hamilton.

“So sorry guys. I wasn’t even looking behind, I was just focused ahead and he just came from nowhere,” Russell said.

“F***ing lost for words, honestly. Just seen the replays on the TV screen. I couldn’t do anything. Totally sandwiched.”

Hamilton spoke after the incident and took responsibility for causing the opening lap carnage, but still gave a little clip to his teammate.

“I’m happy to take full responsibility. I feel sorry for my team. In the heat of the moment ... I think George had nowhere to go.”

As the race dragged on the battle for second heated up between the McLaren duo with Norris left fuming at his own team.

With less than 10 laps remaining the team ordered Norris to hold position behind Piastri, an order that didn’t sit well with the British star.

“We’re going to hold position. Bring it home,” McLaren said to Norris.

Norris responded: “Why do you want to do that? We have a big gap. I’m clearly a lot quicker.”

Piastri got the job done over Norris ... again. (Photo by Ben Stansall / AFP)

5.05am — Williams driver retires

American Logan Sargeant has pulled the pin on his race after 41 laps.

The Williams driver told his engineers he had been feeling sick laps earlier but vowed to keep pushing on despite stating he felt like throwing up inside his helmet.

Minutes later however he officially pulled the pin and retired from the race.

Logan Sargeant is on the radio again telling them he feels unwell, they assure him there’s no shame in retiring.

he decides to head into the pits, we hope he feels better soon 🫶 https://t.co/jGhz1KzDwL

— WTF1 (@wtf1official) October 8, 2023

5am - Race for the podiums heating up

Despite his first lap incident, George Russell remains in the hunt for a podium finish as he hunts down the McLaren duo of Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris.

Piastri remains in second place but Norris has continually been one of the fastest drivers around the circuit and has closed the gap to his teammate.

The extreme heat and multiple pit stops are really turning this into a chess match.

4.20am - Verstappen clear of Piastri

Like it’s been all season long, Max Verstappen is clear in front of the field with Oscar Piastri being left behind in second place.

With 10 laps down the race is going to be a war of tyre wear with teams needing to make a minimum of three pit stops.

4.05am – Nightmare start for Mercedes

Mercedes would have been full of hope heading into the race that they were in for a good haul of points, even a race win.

That went out the window before turn one was even complete.

Lewis Hamilton starting on soft tyres got a lightning start and looked to swoop around the outside of teammate George Russell and Verstappen.

Unfortunately the gap closed and the Mercedes duo slammed into one another with one of Hamilton’s rear wheels being sent flying and ending his race.

“This is an absolute nightmare for Mercedes,” Karun Chandhok said on Sky Sports’ coverage.

The incident forced Russell off the track and he limped around the circuit before heading into the pits and put him dead last before others pitted under the safety car.

Russell was livid on the radio and placed the blame solely on Hamilton.

“So sorry guys. I wasn’t even looking behind, I was just focused ahead and he just came from nowhere,” Russell said.

“F***ing lost for words, honestly. Just seen the replays on the TV screen. I couldn’t do anything. Totally sandwiched.”

Hamilton spoke after the incident and took responsibility for causing the opening lap carnage, but still gave a little clip to his teammate.

“I’m happy to take full responsibility. I feel sorry for my team. In the heat of the moment ... I think George had nowhere to go.”