“Oh sh*t, I had no idea!” – Lewis Hamilton’s priceless reaction to Max Verstappen’s F1 Qatar win. Max Verstappen’s comeback in the 2025 F1 World Championship leaves Lewis Hamilton amazed.

From a 104-point deficit at Zandvoort to just 12 points after Losail, Max Verstappen’s World Championship comeback has even impressed his rival Lewis Hamilton. After the Qatar Grand Prix, the Ferrari driver could hardly hide his astonishment at the results.

With limited access to the big screens around the circuit, the Englishman was able to follow the key moments of the race only during the usual post-race interviews held in the paddock media area.

Max Verstappen amazes Hamilton: “How is he at -12?”

Speaking to the media, Lewis Hamilton asked about the outcome of the Grand Prix and the World Championship standings. “How far behind is Oscar now?” the Scuderia Ferrari champion asked, before learning the results.

Once informed about the standings, Lewis Hamilton could hardly contain his disbelief: “How is Max only 12 points behind now?!”

“He won?” the 1985-born driver from Stevenage asked. “Oh my, I didn’t know, I had no idea! Wow, I thought Piastri had won… Well, what a thrill, now it all comes down to the final race!”

An unexpected comeback: Lewis Hamilton congratulates his rival

Max Verstappen’s victory reduced the gap to Lando Norris to just 12 points. In nine Grands Prix, the Red Bull driver recovered 92 points from the championship leader, keeping alive his hopes for a fifth World Championship title.

Despite past controversies, Lewis Hamilton could only acknowledge the strength of his rival, albeit with some reservations: “We all know Max does a fantastic job. I think he has an incredible team behind him, and it’s undeniable that he’s had the best car over the past four years, even if maybe a little less at the start of this year…”

“Somehow, they’ve managed to come back into the World Championship fight. Obviously, he has a great car, but he’s doing an extraordinary job: I congratulate him,” concluded the Ferrari driver.

One race remains. Twelve points separate Norris from Max Verstappen, with Oscar Piastri still mathematically in it. Thanks to the events under the Lusail lights, the 2025 crown will be decided under the floodlights of Abu Dhabi – and even Lewis Hamilton can’t quite believe how the script has flipped.