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The championship contender benefited from a tactical decision from the British team that contradicted decisions made by all other squads during an initial safety car deployment

It was a costly decision that sacrificed track position to Verstappen in the closing laps and in hindsight threw away the race win for the Australian driver

Grand Prix Outcome and Championship Implications

The race winner triumphed to take his seventh win of the season, matching the McLaren drivers, while the Australian was runner-up and the Briton in fourth behind the Williams of the Spanish driver

The McLaren driver won himself an extra two points by overtaking Kimi Antonelli's Mercedes on the second-to-last lap

Norris has been left with a 12-point lead over Verstappen, who moved ahead of his teammate by four points heading to the final race on 5-7 December

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

Critical Events of the Thrilling Race

• McLaren's decision not to pit when a yellow flag was deployed on lap seven for a crash between Alpine's Pierre Gasly and Sauber's Hulkenberg
• A strategy led by Piastri to bring forward his final stop in a last-ditch effort to catch the leader came to nothing
• A unexpected podium finish for the Williams driver gifted by McLaren's strategy call

How McLaren Missed Out in The Race

The critical point for McLaren was when Gasly and Hulkenberg collided as the Hulkenberg tried to pass the Gasly around the exterior of the first corner 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 remaining in the grand prix

With the tire manufacturer enforcing a twenty-five lap maximum usage on the tyres, that meant anyone who made a stop at that time was committed to a rigid strategy with a second stop on lap 32

Driver Reactions and After the Event Comments

No words

Piastri commented in his after-race interview: Obviously we didn't get it right tonight I drove the best race I could, as fast as I possible, but there was nothing left out there Attempted my utmost but didn't get it done

Verstappen stated: This was an incredible race for us Our team executed the right call to box That proved smart Furthermore extremely pleased to triumph in Qatar and remain competitive to the head, remarkable

Ultimate Race Positions

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

What's Next?

The all-important championship finale at Abu Dhabi's Yas Marina Circuit The circuit itself does not create the most exciting competition, but once again this evening event hosts an contest which appears set to become every bit as dramatic as Sebastian Vettel's maiden championship in 2010, or Verstappen's much-debated first title in 2021