F1 Nation Max makes most of McLaren ‘gift’ + takes title fight to final race – 2025 Qatar GP Review with Jolyon Palmer + Paul Aron
Dec 1, 2025
Jolyon Palmer, a former F1 driver turned commentator, and Paul Aron, an up-and-coming Alpine reserve driver, delve into the high-stakes drama of the Qatar Grand Prix. They dissect McLaren's costly decision not to pit during the Safety Car, which allowed Max Verstappen to seize victory and propel the title race to its final showdown. The duo also analyzes Oscar Piastri's return to form, Lando Norris' struggles under pressure, and Carlos Sainz's impressive podium finish. Plus, insights into Red Bull's challenges and the implications of Adrian Newey joining Aston Martin add depth to the thrilling race recap.
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Costly Safety Car Misread
- McLaren misread the Safety Car moment and lost the race by not pitting while rivals did.
- Jolyon Palmer says they should have pre-planned safety-car scenarios instead of reacting in-race.
Pre-Plan Safety-Car Responses
- Prepare specific strategy responses for likely safety-car windows before the race.
- Use simulations and opponent behaviour assumptions to decide rather than reacting mid-race.
Driver Performance Versus Team Calls
- Oscar Piastri had a near-perfect weekend but lost victory due to team strategy, not his driving.
- Jolyon Palmer highlights how painful it is to do everything right and be let down by team calls.