Max Verstappen wins chaotic Qatar GP after Lando Norris cops 'unbelievably extreme' penalty

Red Bull's Max Verstappen followed up his Formula 1 drivers' title with another win on Monday morning (AEDT) in an action-packed Qatar Grand Prix.

Verstappen finished atop the podium, but the big talking point came after Lando Norris was hit with a penalty that ended his challenge for the race victory.

In a season of controversy over the rules and upheaval at the governing body, the stewards again played a crucial role.

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Norris had been chasing down Verstappen for the lead before his penalty.

McLaren team principal Andrea Stella said Norris hadn't slowed down but argued the penalty was disproportionately harsh.

"It’s definitely material that the FIA should consider very seriously if we want fairness to be part of going racing in Formula 1," Stella said.

“To me, it looks like somewhere there must be a book with a lot of dust on the cover that was taken out. ‘Let me see what it says, I apply this.’ Seems a little too simplistic."

Sky Sports commentator Jenson Button described it as "unbelievably extreme" and Norris was left to rue the costly incident which saw him drop from second to 15th.

"It's a fair penalty ... it's the rule, but honestly, I don't know what I did wrong," he said.

"Apparently, I didn't slow under the yellows. I've let the team down. The team gave me a great car today, easily the quickest out there, and I f----d it up.

"I am not an idiot and, if I saw a yellow, I would have slowed down. The rule is you have to slow down under the yellow, so it is a fair penalty. It's an opportunity missed."

Verstappen, who had dropped from pole to second place after an incident with George Russell in qualifying, got his revenge on the Mercedes driver off the line in the race.

He got alongside Russell to take the inside line into the first corner, then fended off a challenge from Norris into the next turn.

The race was full of drama as the safety car came out three times as Charles Leclerc finished second for Ferrari and Australian star Oscar Piastri was third for McLaren.

Verstappen, who secured his fourth consecutive title in Las Vegas last week, has won two of the last three races but hadn't won in dry conditions since June.

“It was a lot of fun out there,” he said.

“Very happy. It’s been a while in the dry to be this competitive. Very proud of everyone."