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

This proved to be a expensive choice that gave up track position to the Red Bull driver in the final stages and retrospectively cost the race win for the Australian driver

Race Outcome and Championship Implications

Verstappen won to take his 7th win of the campaign, equalling the McLaren drivers, while the Piastri was runner-up and the Briton fourth behind the Williams of Carlos Sainz

Norris earned an extra two points by overtaking the Mercedes driver's Silver Arrow on the penultimate lap

The championship leader has been maintained a 12-point lead over Verstappen, who overtook his teammate by four points heading to the final race on 5-7 December

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

Key Moments of the Thrilling Grand Prix

• McLaren's decision not to pit when a yellow flag was deployed on the seventh lap for a crash between Alpine's Pierre Gasly and Sauber's Nico Hulkenberg
• A decision initiated by the Australian to bring forward his final stop in a desperate attempt to challenge Verstappen came to nothing
• A unexpected second podium for the Williams driver handed by the team's strategy call

How The British Team Lost Out in Qatar

The critical point for McLaren was when Gasly and Hulkenberg came together as the Hulkenberg tried to pass the Frenchman around the outside of Turn One on the seventh lap

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

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

With Pirelli enforcing a 25-lap maximum usage on the tyres, that meant anyone who made a stop at that time was locked into a rigid strategy with a second stop on lap 32

Competitor Responses and After the Event Statements

No words

Piastri added in his after-race conversation: Obviously we made mistakes tonight My driving was the best race I was capable of, as fast as I could, but there was nothing left out there Tried my utmost but didn't get it done

Verstappen said: This was an incredible race for us Our team executed the right call to box That proved intelligent Furthermore extremely pleased to win here and remain competitive to the end, incredible

Ultimate Race Positions

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

What's Next?

The all-important championship finale at the Yas Marina This venue does not create the most thrilling racing, 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 highly controversial first title in 2021