Max Verstappen wins imaginary F1 championship

It might not be an actual recognised championship but if you look solely at the results from the 2025 Sprint races, Max Verstappen secured his fourth sprint race championship.

Across six sprint weekends, there were four different race winners, seven podium finishers, and 16 drivers collecting points. 

Most remarkably, five drivers remained mathematically eligible for the sprint crown heading into the final sprint weekend in Qatar.

Lewis Hamilton launched the campaign in commanding fashion, claiming both sprint pole and victory in China ahead of Oscar Piastri and Verstappen. 

It was a stunning performance by Hamilton, although his maiden Ferrari campaign quickly endured a long downward spiral.

Lando Norris initially struggled with eighth place in China but responded emphatically in Miami, taking the sprint win with Piastri and Hamilton again reaching the podium. This left Hamilton and Piastri sharing the championship lead after two sprint races.

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Verstappen's title surge came through consecutive sprint victories at Spa and Austin, propelling him from fifth to first in the standings. 

Piastri's challenge suffered a significant blow due to an opening corner crash in Austin, where he also took out Norris. However, Norris bounced back by claiming the sprint win in Brazil.

The Qatar sprint finale saw five drivers still mathematically alive: Verstappen (27 points), Norris and George Russell (both 23), with Piastri and Hamilton trailing on 21. 

Piastri delivered maximum points with victory, whilst Russell's second place briefly threatened Verstappen's position. However, fourth place proved sufficient for the Dutchman to claim the crown.

Verstappen's sprint supremacy continues a dominant run dating back to 2022, with only Valtteri Bottas denying him in the format's inaugural 2021 season. 

McLaren secured the imaginary constructors' sprint championship despite their drivers finishing third and fourth individually, edging Mercedes by a single point after both teams entered Qatar level on points.