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Verstappen benefited from a strategy call from McLaren that flew in the face of decisions made by all other squads during an early race safety car period

It was a expensive choice that gave up track position to Verstappen in the closing laps and in hindsight cost the race win for the Australian driver

Grand Prix Results and Title Consequences

Verstappen won to take his 7th win of the campaign, matching the McLaren drivers, while the Australian was runner-up and the British driver in fourth behind the Williams car of Carlos Sainz

The McLaren driver won himself an additional points by passing Kimi Antonelli's Silver Arrow on the penultimate lap

Norris has been maintained a twelve point advantage over his rival, who moved ahead of his teammate by four points heading to Abu Dhabi on 5-7 December

To secure the championship, the British driver must finish at least third at Yas Marina if his rival wins the race next race day

Key Events of the Dramatic Race

• McLaren's decision not to pit when a yellow flag was called on lap seven for a collision between Alpine's Pierre Gasly and Sauber's Hulkenberg
• A decision led by Piastri to advance his final stop in a desperate attempt to catch the leader proved unsuccessful
• A surprise podium finish for Sainz handed by McLaren's tactical decision

How McLaren Lost Out in Qatar

The critical point for McLaren was when the two drivers collided as the Hulkenberg tried to overtake the Frenchman around the outside of Turn One on lap seven

The German's car was left damaged beside the track That brought out the safety car

The critical part of the timing was that it meant there were 50 laps remaining in the race

With Pirelli enforcing a twenty-five lap safety limit on the tires, that meant anyone who pitted at that moment was committed to a rigid strategy with a second stop on the thirty-second lap

Driver Responses and Post-Race Statements

Speechless

The McLaren driver commented in his after-race interview: Clearly we made mistakes tonight My driving was the best race I was capable of, as fast as I possible, but there was no more pace out there Attempted my best but couldn't secure victory

The race winner stated: This was an incredible race for us Our team executed the right call to box That proved smart And super-happy to win here and stay in the fight to the end, incredible

Final Race Positions

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

What's Next?

The all-important title decider at the Yas Marina The circuit itself does not produce the most exciting racing, but once again this evening event hosts an event which promises to be every bit as thrilling as Vettel's maiden championship in 2010, or the Dutch driver's much-debated initial championship in twenty-twenty-one