🔗 Share this article

Verstappen capitalized on a tactical decision from the British team that contradicted decisions made by all other squads during an early race safety car period

This proved to be a costly decision that gave up track position to the Red Bull driver in the final stages and in hindsight threw away the race win for Piastri

Grand Prix Results and Title Implications

Verstappen won to take his 7th victory of the campaign, matching the McLaren drivers, while the Piastri was runner-up and the Briton fourth behind the Williams of the Spanish driver

Norris won himself an extra two points by passing Kimi Antonelli's Mercedes on the second-to-last lap

The championship leader has been maintained a twelve point advantage over Verstappen, who overtook his teammate by four points heading to the final race on December 5-7

To win the championship, Norris must finish at least third at Abu Dhabi if Verstappen takes victory next race day

Critical Events of the Thrilling Grand Prix

• The team's choice not to pit when a safety car was deployed on the seventh lap for a collision between Alpine's Pierre Gasly and the Swiss team's Nico Hulkenberg
• A decision led by Piastri to bring forward his last pit stop in a last-ditch effort to catch the leader proved unsuccessful
• A unexpected podium finish for Sainz gifted by McLaren's strategy call

How The British Team Lost Out in The Race

The critical point for the team was when the two drivers collided as the German tried to pass the Gasly around the exterior of Turn One on the seventh lap

The German's car was damaged beside the track This triggered the yellow flag

The critical part of the timing was that it meant there were 50 laps left in the grand prix

With the tire manufacturer enforcing a 25-lap safety limit on the tyres, that meant anyone who made a stop at that time was locked into a fixed plan with a additional pit stop on the thirty-second lap

Competitor Responses and After the Event Comments

No words

Piastri added in his after-race conversation: Obviously we didn't get it right tonight I drove the best race I was capable of, as fast as I possible, but there was no more pace out there Tried my best but couldn't secure victory

Verstappen said: That represented an incredible race for us Our team executed the correct decision to box It was intelligent Furthermore extremely pleased to triumph in Qatar and remain competitive to the end, incredible

Final Race Positions

• 1. Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
• 2. Oscar Piastri (McLaren)
• 3. Sainz (Williams Racing)
• 4. Lando Norris (McLaren)
• 5. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes-AMG)
• 6. Russell (Mercedes)
• 7. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin)
• 8. Leclerc (Ferrari)
• 9. Liam Lawson (RB F1 Team)
• 10. Tsunoda (Red Bull Racing)

Looking Ahead

The crucial title decider at Abu Dhabi's Yas Marina Circuit This venue does not produce the most exciting competition, but once again this evening event hosts an event which promises to be every bit as dramatic as Sebastian Vettel's first title in twenty-ten, or Verstappen's much-debated first title in 2021