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Verstappen benefited from a tactical decision from McLaren that flew in the face of decisions made by every other team during an early race safety car deployment

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

Grand Prix Results and Championship Consequences

Verstappen won to take his 7th win of the season, equalling Norris and Piastri, while the Australian was runner-up and the Briton in fourth behind the Williams of Carlos Sainz

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

Norris has been maintained a 12-point advantage over Verstappen, who moved ahead of Piastri by four points heading to Abu Dhabi on December 5-7

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 Moments of the Thrilling Race

• The team's decision not to pit when a safety car was called on lap seven for a collision between the French team's Pierre Gasly and Sauber's Nico Hulkenberg
• A strategy led by Piastri to bring forward his final stop in a last-ditch effort to challenge Verstappen proved unsuccessful
• A surprise podium finish for the Williams driver gifted by McLaren's tactical decision

How The British Team Lost Out in The Race

The fateful point for the team was when the two drivers came together as the Hulkenberg tried to pass the Frenchman around the outside of the first corner on the seventh lap

Hulkenberg's car was damaged beside the track That brought out the yellow flag

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

With Pirelli enforcing a twenty-five lap maximum usage on the tyres, that meant anyone who made a stop at that moment was committed to a fixed plan with a second stop on lap 32

Competitor Responses and After the Event Statements

No words

The McLaren driver added in his after-race conversation: Obviously we didn't get it right tonight I drove the strongest performance I could, as quick as I could, but there was no more pace out there Tried my utmost but couldn't secure victory

Verstappen stated: This was an incredible race for us Our team executed the correct decision to pit That proved intelligent Furthermore super-happy to triumph in Qatar and stay in the fight to the end, remarkable

Ultimate Race Positions

• 1. Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
• 2. Piastri (McLaren)
• 3. Sainz (Williams Racing)
• 4. Norris (McLaren Racing)
• 5. Antonelli (Mercedes)
• 6. George Russell (Mercedes)
• 7. Alonso (Aston Martin F1)
• 8. Charles Leclerc (Scuderia Ferrari)
• 9. Lawson (RB F1 Team)
• 10. Yuki Tsunoda (Red Bull Racing)

What's Next?

The all-important title decider at Abu Dhabi's Yas Marina This venue does not create the most thrilling competition, but yet again this twilight race features an contest which promises to be every bit as dramatic as Sebastian Vettel's maiden championship in 2010, or the Dutch driver's highly controversial initial championship in 2021