Lewis Hamilton shocked by Max Verstappen: 'How is he 12 points behind?'

Lewis Hamilton was stunned to learn that Max Verstappen won the Qatar Grand Prix and is now a mere 12 points behind Lando Norris in the F1 drivers' championship.

The Ferrari driver was unaware of the result at the Lusail International Circuit when he reached the media pen for his post-race press duties, and had to be informed by RacingNews365 of the outcome — and what it means for the title fight.

Explaining that a lack of screens around the track left him blind to how the action was unfolding, Hamilton said it would be "helpful" to add more around the 5.419 km layout because he "couldn't see the race" ahead.

After Norris and Verstappen, Oscar Piastri is a further four points adrift, leaving him 16 points behind his McLaren team-mate with just the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix to run.

"So, Oscar's how far behind?" Hamilton asked upon being told the championship picture. "How's Max 12 behind now?" he said in response.

When he was informed of the championship trio's results in Qatar, the 105-time grand prix winner could not hide his shock.

"Max won? Oh shit, I didn't know, I had no idea!" the seven-time F1 drivers' champion exclaimed.

"Holy shit! Wow! I thought Piastri won... Well, that's exciting! It goes right to the last — to the wire."

When asked specifically about Verstappen, who was his adversary in the showdown at the Yas Marina Circuit in 2021, Hamilton praised the Dutchman and Red Bull, whilst underlining a caveat.

"We all know Max does a great job," the 40-year-old said.

"I think he's got a phenomenal team behind him, there's no denying that the best car really over the last four years, and maybe less so the beginning of this year.

"But they somehow came back. He's obviously got a great car, but he does an amazing job with it. So fair play to him."