Verstappen, who was crowned a three-time world champion over the weekend, led the Qatar Grand Prix from lights-to-flag. But the weekend's main talking point was Pirelli mandating 18-lap stints for tyres after tears were found in the sidewall from drivers running over kerbs.
While the kerbs were built to FIA standard, with their 50mm raised 'pyramid' outer edge, they were new for 2023 and the track was also resurfaced as part of investment in the Losail Circuit now that Qatar has commenced a 10-year hosting contract with F1.
