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Verstappen capitalized on a tactical decision from McLaren that flew in the face of decisions made by all other squads during an early race safety car period

This proved to be a costly decision that sacrificed track position to Verstappen in the closing laps and retrospectively threw away the victory for the Australian driver

Race Results and Championship Consequences

The race winner won to take his seventh win of the season, matching Norris and Piastri, while the Piastri was runner-up and the Briton in fourth behind the Williams car of Carlos Sainz

Norris earned an extra two points by overtaking the Mercedes driver's Mercedes on the second-to-last lap

Norris has been left with a 12-point lead over his rival, who overtook his teammate by four points heading to Abu Dhabi on December 5-7

To win the championship, Norris must finish at least third at Yas Marina if Verstappen wins the race next race day

Critical Events of the Thrilling Race

• McLaren's choice not to pit when a yellow flag was called on the seventh lap for a crash between Alpine's Pierre Gasly and the Swiss team's Nico Hulkenberg
• A decision initiated by the Australian to advance his last pit stop in a last-ditch effort to challenge the leader proved unsuccessful
• A unexpected podium finish for the Williams driver gifted by McLaren's tactical decision

How McLaren Lost Out in The Race

The fateful point for the team was when the two drivers collided as the Hulkenberg tried to pass the Gasly around the outside of Turn One on the seventh lap

Hulkenberg's car was damaged beside the circuit 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 safety limit on the tyres, that meant anyone who made a stop at that moment was committed to a fixed plan with a additional pit stop on the thirty-second lap

Competitor Responses and Post-Race Statements

No words

The McLaren driver commented in his after-race conversation: Obviously we didn't get it right tonight My driving was the best race I was capable of, as fast as I could, but there was no more pace out there Attempted my utmost but didn't get it done

Verstappen said: This was an incredible race for us We made the correct decision to pit It was smart Furthermore extremely pleased to triumph in Qatar and remain competitive to the head, remarkable

Final Grand Prix Standings

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

What's Next?

The crucial title decider at the Yas Marina Circuit This venue does not create the most thrilling racing, but once again this twilight race features an event which promises to be every bit as dramatic as Vettel's first title in 2010, or Verstappen's highly controversial first title in 2021